Telling it to our cat


As you probably know, we are in the process of finding a new rental to live in. We are currently living in a fifth wheeler, but I have torn my meniscus again and I cannot handle the seven steps to get in and out. I am practically housebound.

My mother passed away a year ago and I must say that I am still feeling her loss keenly. Coupled with my meniscus tear, exacerbated spinal pain because of the bed and stairs and pulled arm muscles from heaving myself up the three steps from the first level to the bedroom and ensuite, I have the Mother of all fibromyalgia flares with arthritis to boot. It has been one continuous flare since we moved in here four months ago.

My depression is compounded by the chronic pain which is constant and I have gained even more weight as I cannot move much. I am close to the Pit of Despair and something that happened yesterday didn't help me much either...

We had to go food shopping yesterday. Chris was bringing the groceries up into the fiver and I was slowly plodding my way towards the steps. A woman who has a caravan near us spoke to Chris then came up to me and offered me her hand as I painfully managed the stairs. I was so grateful and heartened that she bothered to help me. Not many people make the effort. 

At the halfway point wherein the flyscreen door swings out and one has to push it aside, I let go of her hand. I was telling her of the reason we were selling the fiver. At last I made it inside and I turned round to thank her, mid-sentence. She wasn't even there but I could see her almost at her caravan.

My feelings did a downward spiral as I realised I had been talking to myself and I felt again the loneliness of the chronically ill and disabled. From a fleeting feeling of respect and validation, I felt disrespected and my problems considered minor or of no consequence. The chronically ill or disabled will understand what I am speaking about.

We don't ask for constant validation and never ending compassion. We know that the "normals" who don't experience the pain and inconvenience of disease and disability, can't empathise, just sympathise. But what we do ask is that we be heard, respected and validated.  Nothing compounds our physical pain as much as being ignored, made fun of or marginalised. This is important to us..

The "normals" can even help prevent a trip to the Pit of Despair by showing a bit of interest and compassion to us, so please don't be like our neighbour in the caravan park who didn't want to know. 

I am not minimising the power of prayer, and we should pray and talk to the LORD, but we need another listening ear sometimes, but often people don't want to hear us and for all the good it does, we might just as well tell it to our cat. 

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

4 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry you feel this way. Maybe the neighbour only wanted to help you and not expect you to invite her in. She may have her own issues too. This time of year is sad for a lot of people. At least she came to your aide when needed. I hope you are able to find the perfect place to rent and your health improves soon. I will pray for you. xxx Ann

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    1. Perhaps all of this happened to her but it made me feel sad. Thank you for your prayer and for sharing a cuppa with me today, Ann. Blessings! Glenys

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  2. Feeling forgotten and unseen can be a heavy weight on top of the pain, etc. that you are experiencing. Sharing your truth here with raw honesty helps to let out a bit of that emotional hurt. Also, you are helping others understand what it's like. For some, so they are more aware, for others so they know they aren't the only ones.

    As Ann said, everyone has there story, all of us with struggles and demons. I've become more an more aware of that. Just that bit of reaching out and sincerely connecting, even if only a minute, can really make a difference for someone hurting.

    You are acknowledge, Glenys. I am wishing for you a home and community were you can be your vibrant self.

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    1. Katie, I am sorry you are suffering too. Thank you for your kind wishes and for sharing a cuppa with me today. Blessings, Glenys

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Thank you for visiting with me today. I love to hear from you. I may not always be able to reply right away, but I will respond to every comment you leave. Blessings and comfort, Glenys