Posted by Anne Thomas (208.250.109.7) on July 23, 1999 at 13:00:46:
I thank god each day that I am not batteling something fatal. I am thankful that I have the headpain rather than my beautiful sons, spouse, or someone else in my family. It is amazing how beautiful their loud voices are throughout the house when I feel well. Iam grateful when they call to me in the middle of the night and go to them without a pain in my head. I am happy for long phone conversations on the phone with good friends without headpain interruptions. Having been a social worker for many years I am grateful for a husband that does not abuse me, Iam grateful I can pay my bill, and my family has good food and medical care. Iam grateful for small things as well like this morning when my 2and a half yr old helped himself to the fridge and carried a half gal of milk across the house without tripping. Currently he has taken off the sofa cushions and is proclaiming "mommy, I jumped", so instead of going nuts I say to myself I am grateful you are healthy enough to jump. No my life is not a hokey fairly tale, I live with pain, and have had terrible pain in my life as you all have, but perspective helps you cope. I have counseled a mother who toddler was murdered by an irrate x-boyfriend, details are grusome, an having been a crime victims advocate I have seen true pain of others due to homicide,suicide,incest,rape, and senseless acts of violence. So if I have to live with headpain so be it, because the pain always subsides and retreats, and life can be good and normal and fun. Don't get me wrong this pain sucks, I get angry, I cry, I don't wish it upon anyone. I have in someways become a more empathic person towards others, more tolerat. I have a deeper appreciation for health, good days, and sleepful nights. Just some thoughts. I saw on Oprah once how people should have 3 things that they are grateful for at the close of a day......