When I was young and in school, I always looked at August as a transition month. It was a reminder that summer was about to end and I’d soon be going back to school. Back then, the school year didn’t start until September, but school started appearing at the back of your mind in August. There was always a bit of sadness, knowing soon you would lose the freedom to do whatever you wanted and could no longer sleep in on school days, but there was also a bit of excitement. The new school year would bring an opportunity to catch up with old friends, meet some new friends, and offer all sorts of new adventures.
As I wrote the above, I couldn’t stop thinking about how having Myasthenia Gravis was kind of like the August of your life. You are going to miss some of the things you used to be able to do, but no longer can. At the same time, you know you will have new friends to meet in the MG community and you’re certain there will be new adventures.
I think back on the first day of school, returning after a long summer. You’d see kids who were dragging themselves into the school, sad about losing their summer freedoms. You’d also see kids that were so happy to be back at school that they beamed with excitement. Those were the kids you wanted to be around. You knew you were going to have fun with those kids.
It was all about choices. The kids that were sad allowed themselves to focus on what they were losing and that choice prevented them from enjoying the excitement of a new school year. The kids that were happy had already let go of the past and were focused on the new friends and new adventures about to come into their lives.
That’s what it’s like with MG. We can choose to remain in sadness, lamenting what we have lost and can no longer do, or we can look forward to the new opportunities that await us. I choose the latter.
I would never have started writing this blog if I didn’t have Myasthenia Gravis. Now, I’m amazed at all the new friends I’ve made and I’m really looking forward to all the new friends I have yet to meet. Life isn’t ever going to be free of challenges. It’s how we react to those challenges that matter.
So, Welcome, August in my life with MG. My life has changed and will continue changing, but I’m looking forward to all the new friends and opportunities that await. I want to be one of the excited kids you want to be around. I want to help show others that what lies ahead, although scary at times, is also an opportunity for us to grow, expand our inner circle, celebrate new friends, and enjoy life.
Join me. Put on a smile, don your new school clothes, and let’s walk through those school doors together. I can’t say our journey will be all fun and games, but I can guarantee you that you will not have to go it alone. You’ll be surrounded by people who genuinely care about you. Really, that’s all that matters.
Life is good.