Reach Out on Inspiration

"Reach Out on Inspiration"

"Giving Thanks"..By Patricia Hansen

I know a man who is 51 years old and who has never been sick. This man has never been in the hospital, and the worse that has happened to him is that he has had a cold that lasted 3 days. This is in his lifetime. Hard to imagine, but I have witnessed it for the past several years, and I believe him when he tells me this has been his experience all his life. He has had many relationships, and doesn't seem to "hurt" when they are over...just goes on to the next one. He doesn't seem to "hurt" in any fashion...financially, emotionally, or physically.

I look back at my life and I realize how much I have suffered from illness and emotional hurt and how it has continued and worsened no matter how much I try to care for myself. I find I don't understand why this man, who is without compassion for anyone else but himself, has never suffered. I have
tried to be a good person...a caring person...a loving person.

My rewards: I'm on continuous oxygen from hypoxia. I've never smoked yet my lungs are weak. I suffer with the slightest cold. I use several medications. I've just been diagnosed with Linear Scleroderma. My parents abused me emotionally and physically as a child. My mother still rejects me in some respects; my sister doesn't call or even send a card when I'm in the hospital. I have no loving male relationship. I don't understand. I just don't understand. I've never understood.

It takes a lot of inner strength to put all this aside and say to myself that I shouldn't wish any other person to suffer just because I feel it isn't fair. It has nothing to do with me. I need to be grateful for what I have and not for what I don't have. I suffer less than many others. This morning, I almost slipped on the stairs but was able to catch myself. Isn't that some thing to give thanks for. I'm alive and even though I'm on oxygen, I'm able to "get around." Isn't this worth a thanks. I have scleroderma, but the doctor's don't think it is systemic. This is a LOT to be thankful for. How many times in the day I give thanks for so many good things.

I have been in five automobile accidents. None have been my fault. The last one was the worst. The driver of the other car was a hit and run drunken driver.. I lost my car; almost lost my life; had a head concussion along with other physical and emotional conditions that brought me pain that lasted several months and some conditions I still suffer. I also have alopecia areata from the stress of the accident which has only worsened. I was alone through it all. I felt sorry for myself and I thought of this man who has never suffered and somehow for some reason has people who care about him. He wouldn't be alone in the same situation.

Then, I looked into the mirror and gave thanks that I was not like many people who have been killed in automobile accidents or hurt much worse. I pet my two little dogs who love me unconditionally. I smile at the mailman who sometimes brings my mail to my front door. The lady who opens a door for me when I struggle with my oxygen gear.. The nurses in the hospital who cared. The doctors who devote their life to learning and trying and helping and working around the clock to bring relief and answers. Thanks, so many thanks. Thanks to having parents, thanks for the wonderful part of my mother that gives me love....thanks that my mother is still alive; thanks for waking up this morning and waking up with a smile on my face. This man who has never suffered? Thanks that he is so fortunate also.

HOW EASY...I'LL Be DARN!!! Thanks

Reach Out Magazine Online
Full Featured Publication and INTERACTIVE Website. Helping people with
disABILITIES meet others
Http://www.reachoutmag.com