Multiple Sclerosis
takes so much from a person.
That is a truth. An
angering, putrid truth.
For me, the goal is to overcome the anger and focus on what
I can still do, do it to the best of my ability, and always ask God
to make it the best it can be.
A second cousin of mine was recently married. When I learned
of the impending ceremony, my first thought was about a gift, knowing how
limited my funds are. There would be no way for me to afford a standard wedding
gift like dishes or a setting of silverware, and that stung. Almost instantly I
hit upon another idea – to embroider some kitchen towels and attach a note
about her great-grandmother, who was my grandmother. Gran is the one who taught
me how to embroider.
I found the same embroidery patterns that Gran had purchased
for me way back when, and carefully selected the towels and the colors of the
floss I’d use for the project. I could hear my grandmother’s coaching as I
stitched, and, as I do with all needlework projects, prayed for the recipients
throughout.
I saved writing the note for the end of the project. I knew
I wanted to “set the scene” for how I learned this craft, and share some family
history. The note really wrote itself – and I was pleasantly surprised by it. I’ve
learned that feeling usually means God did more of the writing than I did.
I had set a deadline for the completion of my project so
that it could be received before the wedding, and I was gentle on myself on the
days the MS kept me from my task. I missed my deadline by a day or two, but the
package went off in time.
The morning of her wedding, my cousin sent a Facebook
message thanking me for the gift, noting that she would be framing the note I’d
sent. She said it was her favorite gift so far! I was astonished that she would
take the time on the morning of her wedding to send me a message! My gift had
struck just the right note, binding us together in a way unlike any of her “registered
for” gifts ever could have. It was truly a God Thing!
Yes, MS has stolen a lot from me. There are many, many days
when my goal is to get out of bed, or get fully dressed, or to brush my teeth
(I sit down for that, you know). But that’s not EVERY day, and I so enjoy the
good days!
The important thing to remember is that, whether it’s a good
day or another wretched day, I’m doing my best, God is with me, and He will
make whatever I do immeasurably better than I could ever have done on my own. And that's true for everyone.
