Don't think ahead.

You are usually advised to think ahead, to plan your future. It is said that it is good to plan your days so you make the most of them. Organisation is essential, in particular organisation of your time as time is precious and time is limited. There are only 24 hours in every day however much you try to stretch an hour.

Aah! Not always and I say this from painful experience - emotional and physical pain. The best laid plans of mice and men to quote Robert Burns are often shoved aside (to quote me) when your RA body is being difficult. Chronic illnesses like rheumathoid arthritis are not always cooperative you know. You make plans to spend time with friends and the pain flares up. What a pain!

Another thing about making plans and having RA is that thinking ahead can be overwhelming , to say the least, and it may all seem so hopeless. Getting out of bed in the morning takes a lot of effort and will power. I pray as I try to push myself off the bed. Sometimes I fall back or I have to sit down again. I need a firmer footing. Then that long journey to the bathroom, my handphone in hand. I place the phone down and continue my shuffle. That's how the day goes.

So it makes more sense for me to get things done in stages thinking only of getting one thing done at a time. When that is done, I go to the next and so on. If I think of all I have to do and go through every day, I will not be able to get any sleep. Everything will keep going around and around in my head. That would just make things worse in the morning.

So for those with chronic illnesses like me, please don't think ahead and anticipate all the problems to come. There will be problems but anticipation will just make it worse. You can get through the day and be proud of yourself when you do. I do every day and I am.

Dreams.

I have more times than I should, thought of my lost dreams, dreams lost by my RA. Others with chronic, painful illnesses and especially those with terminal illnesses, must do the same. I can't blame RA for all my lost dreams, though. Life has taken its toll.

I think of my dear friend, deadly ill and now virtually in a coma. Her family is in anguish. They don't think of their dreams, they just want their wife/mother/aunt/daughter to wake up and talk to them. They may not think of them but their dreams may just disappear. Her husband's dream of growing old together with her, each supporting and loving the other. Her daughter's dream of having her Mum at her wedding, helping her prepare and giving her advice only a mother can give. Her son's dream of having his mother with him as long as possible.

So I can mourn my lost dreams and let them go. I have and can have new dreams. Dreams lost are never found.

No one really knows what is happening to my friend. Can she hear her loved ones talk to her?

I know my God is kind and allows her dreams while she sleeps. Dream beautiful dreams my dear friend. Perhaps you will honour me by sharing them with me some day.

Prayer for a Life.

I have not done much posting lately. Its mainly because a dear friend of mine and of my family has been fighting a battle for her life. She went through so much in the past and now this. We have prayed and continue to pray for this brave woman. Her family suffers while waiting and hoping.

Now is the time to spend time with your loved ones, to cherish. Don't wait to say the things you want to say, thinking that there will always be time. The time is now.

Pray for all. My dear mother mentioned the names of all she prayed for every night and it was big list.

I will pray again and again for your precious life dearest Joyce.