| Crohn's Taketh Away, But Crohn's Giveth Also. The good side of having a bad illness |
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This is a list of the bad things Crohn's (and the other health issues) has done compared with
the good things it has done. Try to keep this in perspective.
Crohn's took away:
1) Financial security
2) My health.
3) The ability to travel and not fear bowel accidents.
Crohn's has given me even more:
1) The time to be a good and father. Before I did nothing but work. Now I have time for the
REAL riches in my life.
2) The time to make things right. When you are faced with death at a young age, you learn to
be good to people. You learn to stop and smell the flowers.
3) My pro bowling career. When you see that time is limited, you want to chase those dreams.
4) The chance to help others. I have a unique gift for comforting and inspiring the sick.
Crohn's gave this to me. When my second wife nearly died, I found the strength she needed
me to have. My writings about my own circumstances have been an inspiration to many. I
thank God for this. We all have our own degree of wanting to matter. Well, I have a chance to
help more people than I ever would have had I stayed healthy. Poor I may be...sick I may
be...but I am wealthy where it counts.
5) A closer walk with God.
6) My wonderful sense of humor.
7) A friend in (Ultimate) Warrior. He always liked my attitude. Heck, I modeled it after him. But
then when I finally told him what was going on, he was very surprised. His friendship is an
honor to me.
8) The chance to see who my real friends are. It is amazing who stands by your side in good
times, yet runs away when you have it rough. I will never forget those of you who stood with me
through all of this.
9) My relationship with my kids. I think if I hadn't had all of that free time, I wouldn't have sat
around thinking up crazy things to do that make my kids think I am just "too cool."
10) My love for life. I now see beauty were before I only saw the ugly. I can now see the good
in everyone, even the pigeons of the world.
Now for the lighter side...
a) appreciation for the difference in softness of toilet paper
b) the ability to clear a room by only threatening to break wind
c) the realization that clothes are disposable after all
d) finally knowing what a semi-colon really is.
e) a reason to sleep nude
f) diets? WHO needs diets?
g) The NEED to consume soda and iced tea. They are medical necessities now
h) A whole new appreciation for the many uses of the word "SH_T"
i) The loss of my natural teeth from the vomiting has made brushing my teeth easier.
j) Being bi-polar lets me get away with so very much..heehee.
k) The tremors make dancing so much more artistic, you know.
I will add more to this page when time allows.
The point of this is that while some may consider my illnesses a curse, I consider them a
blessing in disguise. When people offer to pray for my health, I tell them don't. Pray for me to
have strength of the spirit. My poor health has made me a man I am proud to be.
I look at the old healthy me versus the sick, non wealthy me. I like this one better. This one
knows honor and duty and love for life. This one is a good father. This one appreciates the
beauty of each individual sunrise and sunset. This one likes making people laugh.
No, I wouldn't change one thing about the past. There is a song by Jim Croce (the Bad Bad
Leroy Brown guy) called "Hard Way Every Time." I will quote the last few lines here.
"But in looking back at the lessons I've learned and the mountains I've wanted to climb, I just
look at myself to find I've learned the hard way every time.
"Yeah I've had my share of broken dreams, and more than a couple of falls. But in chasing
what i thought were moonbeams I have run into a couple of walls...."
"But in looking back at the faces I've been I would sure be the first one to say..
"When I look at myself today..
"I wouldn't have done it any other way."
Be well,
Sponge
08/04/04
the good things it has done. Try to keep this in perspective.
Crohn's took away:
1) Financial security
2) My health.
3) The ability to travel and not fear bowel accidents.
Crohn's has given me even more:
1) The time to be a good and father. Before I did nothing but work. Now I have time for the
REAL riches in my life.
2) The time to make things right. When you are faced with death at a young age, you learn to
be good to people. You learn to stop and smell the flowers.
3) My pro bowling career. When you see that time is limited, you want to chase those dreams.
4) The chance to help others. I have a unique gift for comforting and inspiring the sick.
Crohn's gave this to me. When my second wife nearly died, I found the strength she needed
me to have. My writings about my own circumstances have been an inspiration to many. I
thank God for this. We all have our own degree of wanting to matter. Well, I have a chance to
help more people than I ever would have had I stayed healthy. Poor I may be...sick I may
be...but I am wealthy where it counts.
5) A closer walk with God.
6) My wonderful sense of humor.
7) A friend in (Ultimate) Warrior. He always liked my attitude. Heck, I modeled it after him. But
then when I finally told him what was going on, he was very surprised. His friendship is an
honor to me.
8) The chance to see who my real friends are. It is amazing who stands by your side in good
times, yet runs away when you have it rough. I will never forget those of you who stood with me
through all of this.
9) My relationship with my kids. I think if I hadn't had all of that free time, I wouldn't have sat
around thinking up crazy things to do that make my kids think I am just "too cool."
10) My love for life. I now see beauty were before I only saw the ugly. I can now see the good
in everyone, even the pigeons of the world.
Now for the lighter side...
a) appreciation for the difference in softness of toilet paper
b) the ability to clear a room by only threatening to break wind
c) the realization that clothes are disposable after all
d) finally knowing what a semi-colon really is.
e) a reason to sleep nude
f) diets? WHO needs diets?
g) The NEED to consume soda and iced tea. They are medical necessities now
h) A whole new appreciation for the many uses of the word "SH_T"
i) The loss of my natural teeth from the vomiting has made brushing my teeth easier.
j) Being bi-polar lets me get away with so very much..heehee.
k) The tremors make dancing so much more artistic, you know.
I will add more to this page when time allows.
The point of this is that while some may consider my illnesses a curse, I consider them a
blessing in disguise. When people offer to pray for my health, I tell them don't. Pray for me to
have strength of the spirit. My poor health has made me a man I am proud to be.
I look at the old healthy me versus the sick, non wealthy me. I like this one better. This one
knows honor and duty and love for life. This one is a good father. This one appreciates the
beauty of each individual sunrise and sunset. This one likes making people laugh.
No, I wouldn't change one thing about the past. There is a song by Jim Croce (the Bad Bad
Leroy Brown guy) called "Hard Way Every Time." I will quote the last few lines here.
"But in looking back at the lessons I've learned and the mountains I've wanted to climb, I just
look at myself to find I've learned the hard way every time.
"Yeah I've had my share of broken dreams, and more than a couple of falls. But in chasing
what i thought were moonbeams I have run into a couple of walls...."
"But in looking back at the faces I've been I would sure be the first one to say..
"When I look at myself today..
"I wouldn't have done it any other way."
Be well,
Sponge
08/04/04