Support

The value of support, and in turn, it's exact important in my life, has changed so drastically over the past few months.

It comes in different forms, evokes different emotions.  But always warms my heart.

It has been little things, and big things...

The sharing of personal information and experiences to help me feel less alone.

A nice fuzzy pair of socks to "warm my tingly toes," a delivery of Indian food for dinner, or a gift from friends across the country.

It all comes down to the people - my friends, my family, and recently - complete strangers.

I joined a MS support group this week.  It is for newly diagnosed young people.  There are only 6 people in the group and we meet once a month.  We spent almost 3 hours talking about needles and injections and supplements.  We lifted our shirts and shared our bruised battle scars.  We debated treatment vs non-treatment.  We shared our diagnosis stories. 

I don't feel like I learned anything new about this disease or how I will treat it, react to it, or live with it.  But I truly learned I am not alone in this.  Reiterating this over and over again - that is crucial.

People who "get it" because they live it.  I need to saturate myself in that. 

And that very night, after my emotion-filled support group meeting, I was usurped by some Mama-friends for an evening out.  They took me to dinner and presented me with a gift.  A gift that I still, a day later, cannot fully comprehend.  These women have given their hearts, time (and wallets!) to me in perhaps the most generous showing of support I have ever seen.  They collectively decided to help me with the things I am struggling with the most - cooking, cleaning, and childcare.  Just because they could and just because they wanted to.  They have lifted some stress, brought my shoulders down a little, and I feel like I can breathe.  And smile.  Lots.