I am a very happy, content person...but it
wasn't
always that way. A lot of my life was an uphill battle! I
was a miserable teenager-very shy and
scared of everything and everyone! I realize now that I
was suffering from a type of anxiety disorder. I spent most
of my time reading...I lost myself in
books. I became each
heroine, and so was happy for a brief time.
I managed to get through high school and things did get
better for a while. Pretty soon after high school, I met
someone that I thought I loved and we married. It was a
mistake. Before I was twenty, I was a divorced mother. But,
as often happens, something wonderful did come from this
experience...my son! He is my best
friend and the light of my life! He is 24 now, and an
artist and writer.
I, too, am an artist...I paint and sculpt. I am a member
of the Mississippi Craftsman's Guild, and a registered folk
artist. I consider myself very fortunate...what could be
better than doing something you love, and actually getting
paid for it (occassionally, anyway)!?! Because I have
Multiple Sclerosis, I do not get out that much...and
art is
a lifesaver. It is my therapy and my passion. I would be
lost without it!
I would also be lost without my
mom and dad!
They have given me so much...not just financial support,
although they have surely given me that! They have given me
moral and emotional support; have always stood at my side,
whether they agreed with me or not. They gave me a strong
foundation, so that I am able to face the hardships in my
life with hope and a positive attitude! From the depths of
my heart, I thank them...they are the best people I know!
You know, life is funny...sometimes the things that we
think should make our lives miserable, bring us the most
joy. My marriage-certainly a miserable time in my
life-brought me Sebe. My illnesses-certainly restricting
and sometimes painful-have enabled me to do what I find the
most satisfying, and also have caused me to have to live at
home, thus allowing me to spend time with my parents. This
is something that our culture frowns on, unless there is a
very good reason. And I find that very sad; I cherish the
time I get to spend with my folks! I have found that with
an open mind, a positive attitude, and God in my life, I am
happy...of course, I have so much more than that!
I guess I just want to say that life is good...so good that
sometimes it scares me! I'm almost afraid to admit to my
happiness,
because it might be taken away. I know that this is
foolish, but fears are unexplainable. I also believe that
we only have two choices in this life...we can be happy or
unhappy. I choose to be happy! Not every moment of every
day, perhaps, but over all. It takes work, but what could
be more worthwhile?
Let me tell you a little about Multiple Sclerosis...it
is a very interesting and unpredictable disease. It affects
the central nervous system and the brain. Nerves are
insulated with something called Myelin...MS attacks the
Myelin, causing the nerve impulses to become distorted.
Each person's symptoms are unique, depending on where the
damage is. MS can cause blindness, paralysis, deafness,
spasticity...you name it, MS can make it happen! I always
say, if I don't like how I feel today, I'll just wait til
tomorrow, cause I'm bound to feel different! Of course, I
am one of the lucky ones...most people don't know there's
anything wrong with me, just by looking. I also have
migraines with auras, and TMJ Disorder...I'm telling you
this, because I have put links to pages about these
illnesses here! Just didn't want you to get confused! lol!
