Thimble Collection.....20 Years With CFS

I have collected thimbles longer than I have had

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome!!!

When friends and family travel I am usually blessed with a

thimble or two ...or more when

they return home.

I wish early on I would have dated and named, who they were

from on each of the thimbles,

but I guess when your young you think you'll remember everything. NOT..

So here in later years I have been marking the inside of

them with a thin line Sharpy.I have over 200 thimbles. These are some of my favorites

and ones from my kids latest vacations.

I said I have been collecting thimbles longer than I have

had CFS and that has been longer than 20 years.

This month marks 20 years that I have lived with

this dreaded disease. It was mid March of 1992 that

I got sick with what at the time I thought was a virus,

bug or something..that then turned into strep.

I was diagnosed in Aug of that year with Chronic

Fatigue Syndrome. Life changed a whole lot after

that. I have never been able to function the same

as I did before then...ever. I was a pretty busy person.

Learning to pace myself did not set well...but was forced

upon me.

There have been times of better health and

times of worse. I was even able to go back to work

part time from 1997 to 2002 and after that

I worked some each week on a fill in or call in

basis till Nov 2006. I miss working. It helped

keep my mind on other things and I was around

other people more often then I am now.

Well, in March of 1992, if someone had said ..you will

be living like this for the next 20 or more years I don't think I would have handled it very well.

Heck...I thought I was going to die that summer I

was so sick.

But I have lived 20 years with it, it's hard, it's just flat

the pits, but you know...I have lived.

I have seen my sons marry.

I have been given 7 grand kids and and looking forward

to a new one.

I went through a divorce because of loosing my health

only to be given the best husband I've ever had.

(SHHs I have had 3)

I recently watched my Mom celebrate her

90th birthday.

I have stood at the graves of friends younger

than me that have died of other illnesses...but I have

lived.

So, even with CFS trying to rule my life at times

I HAVE LIVED. Not like I had planned...but

I have lived.

I do not say this lightly....if not for the prayers

of myself, family and friends I am not sure

I would have.

LIVED

Thank you GOD.