Genuine Thankfulness
From the beginning of the year in January, I made a promise to myself to write about the things that I didn’t want to write about. That includes not just the things I am afraid of, but the things I am embarrassed by boasting about.
Despite having gone through three months in an air cast for my left foot and a labia surgery to remove five non-cancerous cysts and perform a Bartholin marsupialization, I have to count myself among the fortunate.
I have good healthcare, a fine care team of doctors and specialists, and superior support in both professional therapy and peer support. The year is nearly done, but my journey of exposing my soft venerable bits is just getting started.
Holidays in the past have left me isolated, despite celebrating with my mother’s side of the family. I didn’t speak Italian fluently, so I’d be surrounded by people yet feel completely alone with everyone speaking another language I couldn’t communicate in.
This Thanksgiving, I sit here in a soft flannel shirt with a furry throw blanket as my cat sticks his paws in my tissue box. I am grateful for these small moments.
20 Things I am Thankful For
My House
My Mom
My Bills Paid (the essentials anyway)
The Luxury of Having Credit Card Bills
My Art and Writing
The Luxury of the Pursuit of Art and Writing
My Bed
My Clean Laundry
My Pets
The Luxury of Having Pets
Beauty in my Life
My Brain
Mystery in the World
My Meds
My Healthcare
Comfy Clothes
Orthopedic Shoes
Food
The Ability to Cook
My Love of the Finer Things that Cost Little, like French Fries, Talking to Old Friends and Living by Julia Child Quotes.
Julia Child is a personal hero of mine. Today I will eat without guilt, walk my cat on a leash like it’s no big deal, and get to bed early because I love my bed. A day of rest does not merit guilt, and I need not connect with people out of obligation if it means it will stress me out. Going completely no contact with certain people this year has saved me from serious migraine pain this year. I could get used to this.
