I just wanted to stop in before I head to bed.

Tonight my heart is full of gratitude for the many friends in fibromyalgia I have met over these past two months of blogging.  I am grateful for their strength, their examples, and their insight.  Although we may not understand much about this unfortunate disease (or whatever they are calling it this year), we are learning to understand and support each other.  We blog about our progress, discuss our findings, and portray our battle with fibro through our artwork.  By doing so, we not only relieve stress through a nonjudgmental outlet, we answer questions, help each other find the ideas that work for us, and provide a powerful depiction of the emotions we often face

I also appreciate those in my own fibro-fighting team.  My family members, friends, and doctors who do all they can to help me be comfortable and capable.  My family goes to appointments with me, my doctors provide samples and suggestions for anything that may relieve my pain, and my friends love and support, even when they may not understand.  I can imagine how difficult it must be to understand fibromyalgia without having experienced the pain, the fog, and the fatigue.  When I try to describe the pains I must sound violent or nonsensical.  When I try to describe the fibro-fog I must sound like a wuss.  When I am insanely fatigued I must sound like I am 70 years my senior, or closing in on my 26th mile (in the marathon I will never run).  Yet, my family, friends, and doctors are supporting and never make me feel weak, incapable, or insane.  For that I am eternally grateful.

I think one of the greatest blessings from my fight with fibromyalgia is being able to tell who truly loves me, and being humbled by their selfless service to me and my family.  I cannot do justice to how difficult it is for me to admit I am not well.  For me to admit I’ll take all the prayers I can get.  For me to admit there are things I cannot do, with or without assistance.  However, with my faith, my family, and my friends, I can admit those things.  And I know this fight with fibro will bring those who are in my world closer.  It already is.