What are your favorite childhood memories? Are there reoccurring traditions you remember fondly? Did you have a fort in your backyard? Was camping as a family part of each summer? Did you go skiing each winter?
Yesterday we were blanketed in 4 inches of white. The previous night was spent living in a snow globe. It’s truly beautiful. Even more so because I no longer have to leave the house on days like this now that I’m a stay-at-home mom/grandma/trophy wife. (I like the trophy wife the best, except when my son reminds me that everyone gets a “thanks for playing” trophy these days.)
Where was I? Ah, yes, snow!
These multiplying inches bring back great memories of playing outside when I was a kid. Growing up in Michigan usually meant snow in late November/early December that remained through February.
We lived on a dead-end road and the snowplow would push a glorious mound of the white playground and leave it three feet past our driveway. We spent hours as kids digging holes in that mountain, climbing to the peak, and sliding back down on our bellies.
Having fibromyalgia has changed winters in Michigan for me.
It hurts down deep in my bones. When the barometer drops my pain increases. If the change is abrupt and drastic the pain can be almost unbearable. If the temp is below freezing I’m not usually able to venture out. I have to start my car 15 minutes before leaving the house so it has time to warm up the interior and, when possible, I get dropped off at the door so I’m not out in the cold for long. Thankfully I have an automatic starter that only takes a push of a button to get the car started.
Despite the aches and pains, I still enjoyed getting outside in the snow. Yesterday I bundled up more than usual and shoveled a few scoops into a pile and then stood to watch my grandson firmly pack a snowball and then hurl it at me with all his strength. (I see baseball in his future for sure!). We were only out about 15 minutes and I had to end the fun and return to the warmth of my house.
The best part of being out there was the memories replaying in my mind.
As kids, we played outside until we were called in to thaw. We’d drink some hot cocoa while our gloves and boots dried over every heating vent in the house. Once our noses had turned from bright red back to their normal color we’d venture out again!
It's important to remember life before #chronicillness.It’s important to stop and remember life before chronic illness and the pain it’s brought.
Not to make us sad or angry at our current state, but to be thankful for the moments we’ve been able to experience. Each phase of life has its blessings and its challenges, its comfort and its pain.
It’s also important to be grateful for what we can do today. Even if it pales in comparison to life before we were diagnosed.
I’m thankful for the strength to shovel some days when there are so many that cannot leave their bed, home, wheelchair, etc. I’m thankful for the warm house that was waiting for me when so many are out in the cold this winter.
So today, I’m stuck in the recliner resting as I’m afraid those few minutes of shoveling (paired with a bit of painting I did in a small cupboard) are turning into a flare, I’m trying to remember that the pain was caused by something I’m able to do that so many others are not. The challenges in the midst of blessings.
