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an person independent to a fault. I have had to learn to accept that I have so many limitations. For an individual as myself, that is a difficult lesson.

I am a shadow and yet, somehow, I am more. I am working part-time on a degree. My own children tell me I am a good mom, despite everything. I talk to hardly anyone yet I know the ones I do associate with, understand and accept me fully. I know more about compassion, empathy, and patience than I once did. I appreciate little things, small gestures of kindness more and I give them out more too. All in all, I might be a better person because of it. Now if we can just get more people to understand what we live with.....

My nine year old daughter comes bounding into the front room:

"Oooo! Whatcha writin' mom?"

"Just a piece on Fibromyalgia"

"Fibro...Fibro... ..that's the type of arthritis thing you have, right?"

I nod and notice the glimmer of concern that crosses her face when we talk about it and wait for the comments and questions that usually follow. In the past, she was afraid the Fibro would kill me and she's cried more than once.

"It's why you hurt all the time and can't play with us, right?"

"Well, not how I'd like to, yes."

The look on her face changes again and a small hand begins to reach towards a plate on my desk and fingers inch over a piece of cheese there.

"Aaaaand it's why you can't run after me if I steal your cheese! I'm Queen of the Cheese! Muahahahahaha!"

After which, she darts from the room, laughing joyously, secure in the knowledge she has defeated the evil Dark Queen of Fungus in her life-long quest for the perfect piece of cheese. So I was later informed, at least.

Yup, have to enjoy the little things. Sometimes, the little things are all we left.

Learn more about this author, Marshia Whitman.
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