When you are managing pain and illness in your life there often seems to be constant withdrawals from your reserves of spirit. I often use the analogy of a bucket of water. Dealing with pain and illness depletes the level in my bucket, so I’m always looking for things that fill my bucket; that boost my spirit.
Enriching relationships in my life like that which I have with my dear friend I just finished a phone call with – they fill my bucket. Enriching relationships are those relationships with people who always put a smile on your face, who really “get” you, who you are able to talk about any topic with, as deep or trivial as you want, and who genuinely make your life better just because they’re in it. Those types of relationships are special and quite rare, though I have been blessed with quite a lot, both friends and family alike.
Misunderstood conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS / CFIDS/ ME) put relationships with friends and family to the test, and unfortunately many are found wanting or simply cease to exist. It’s usually no-one’s fault. Any relationship put under stress needs to be extremely strong to survive, but the ones that do are worth their weight in gold. The old analogy that if you put coal under extreme pressure you get diamonds applies beautifully to the relationships that survive long-term illness. They are special, rare and beautiful.
So today I want to acknowledge those rare gems in my life who’ve weathered the storms with me and continue to do so. You, my dear family and friends, fill my bucket and I hope that I do the same for you. To enriching relationships!!
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