Strength

Sometimes we don't know where our strength comes from.

You hear about those women able to lift cars to save their children. Pure adrenaline right?

I think people who live with chronic illness have this super strength all the time.

I was talking to one of my friends yesterday. She is plagued by her chronic illness, but you would never know it.

Her husband went in for surgery this week and she confided in me that she has been working hard to put on her "happy face" while caring for him. She's pretending that her illness is fine so that he won't worry. She is working hard to take care of him, the house, the dog, and smiling through her own pain and stress.

That is strength.

For many people with chronic illnesses just getting out of bed, or for me - out of the bathroom, can be a major challenge. Yet we manage. We hold down jobs, take care of others, and take every step every day in pain. Yet we survive.

I am happy to report that things are getting better. It has been 13 weeks since my final surgery and my pain is less and my strength is growing.

Oh wait!

My strength has been there the whole time.