Today's? Was...what if we all had comic book symbols that floated above our heads?
Like this:
Our comic book symbol could serve as notice to others. A warning, if you will. That they might treat us with a little more...patience, kindness, compassion...and maybe pick up the tab for our coffee if they were so moved? I'm just sayin'.
I'm one of those, "You have MS? But you look so good!" sorts of folks. I always say thank you to that, because come on, I'll take it. It's like when someone says you look nice on a particular day. If you're me, you only have 6 tops and as many black dress pants. This is strategy on my part, because when I have more choices, I become overwhelmed in my closet and cannot get out. Laugh with me, people...it has happened. So when someone says, "You look nice today!", I want to say, "Thanks! It's a little something I call 'Tuesday'!"
What I'm saying is, with the exception of bruises from walking into things and scuff marks on my shoes, ms is invisible to those around me. And I feel comic book symbols are the answer.
If I were bold enough, I would write something like this in mine for all to see:
"I don't remember what it feels like to be well. Sometimes, it's a major accomplishment just to get out the door in the morning. I don't want to worry or be anxious, but I don't always feel able to control that. My hope is in the Lord. I'm trying my very best.
Thoughts of the comic book symbol concept intensified as I waited for my son to finish soccer practice. Again with soccer, right?
Someone was joking with him about the way he runs. I thought to myself, if they only knew his story. A story that isn't as "over" as we thought it might be, but that's ok. We're not afraid of facing challenges in this household. His comic book symbol might say something like:
"I was brain injured. There was so much I couldn't do and running was on that list. I worked very hard to overcome many obstacles. I still struggle with things no one can see. My bible is always next to me when I wake up in the morning. My hope is in the Lord. I'm trying my very best."
I thought of my daughter, who's been struggling through a weird, autoimmune, inflammatory condition that has taken her ability to run with her cross country team. Her comic book symbol might say something like:
"I'm the 3rd person in my family-of-4 diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. I'm beyond disappointed and a little scared. I don't want what my mom has. I'm super quiet, so I keep it all inside. I trust that God has it. My hope is in the Lord. I'm trying my very best."
Honestly, don't we all have stuff that a comic book symbol would be helpful for?
I think about the list of friends that I - just one person - pray for and all the tough stuff they're dealing with in the midst of their daily grind. There's illness. Difficult family challenges. Financial struggles. Combinations of all. Yet each of them gets up in the morning and goes about their day...managing that illness, dealing with that family challenge the best way they know how, working as hard as they can - trying their very best.
It inspires me :) Often, to the point of happy tears...
Yep, we're all fighting a battle. Some plates are overflowing more than others. Some plates are not just overflowing, they've fallen on the floor and cascaded across the entire room. But...we're only an arm's length, a phone call, an email, a text message, or maybe a social media post away from someone who loves us and would love to help hold the plate, or clean up some of the mess on the floor.
And maybe that someone's comic book symbol would say something like, "All I want to do today is buy coffee for the next person who messages me!"
Talk about inspiration...
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| Token Meme of Truth |
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