This “journey” is definitely educational. I’ve got to extend my definition of “friend” to include people who do not a big deal when my legs go out and then even less of a big deal when I can’t continue to play cards. They handled it better than I did.
Wow. That is all I can say. They made me feel like my disability was just a “thing” and a little one at that. No drama. “Oh, you can’t throw cards anymore? Cards were only part of the evening. Talking was another part.”
I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to run and hide, ashamed of the wretch my body has become. It was just a “thing.”
I pray when this world is over, their maker remembers this and says, “Yep, you’re good. Go on.”
Small drops of kindness create a tidal wave of compassion.
I am learning how to lean on friends.
I have friends that I can talk to at 2 am (when they should be sleeping, but I’m glad they don’t). I have friends that show me the beauty of the world, either painted, photographed or videoed. I have friends that push me to further my knowledge in my interests. I have friends that keep me in stitches with idiotic memes that touch my heart and tremble my soul. I have friends that become my mother when they have to and stop when no longer needed. I have friends, long passed, that come to me in my dreams and tell me they held their faith to the end, they expect the same from me.
I am undoubtedly leaving some out. And, for this, I am truly apologetic. They deserve to be listed and rewarded.
Above all, I have a friend in Christ. He continues to walk with me (carry me like 98% of the time).
The interesting thing, is that not all my friends consider themselves Christians or even believe in God, or even a higher power. Diversity is what makes them strong. They are my warriors. They do battle against this enigmatic wretched disease and put it in its place.
Thank you all, I adore each of you,
Jay C. “Jazzy_J” Theriot