My people

I’m having a day of gratitude and they don’t come by as often as I’d like, so I’m going to seize the moment!

I was sitting in the shower today, on my trusty blue shower chair, when I realized that my whole life is dependent on the kindness of those around me. I’d like to think I’d figure it out if I didn’t have what I do, but I know it would be a hell of a lot harder. I mean, even something” as simple as taking a shower, keeping myself CLEAN, is a whole thing. I need a chair and Will has to help me into that chair and when the water goes off (which he listens for!) he has to bring me a towel, and then help me out of the shower. This basic thing that lots of people do every morning is a whole production for me, and it’s made a lot easier by my husband.

And then I think about my family and how lucky I am there. Sure, my family drives me a little loco, because whose family doesn’t? Still, I have amazing parents and a sibling who looks out for me who married into a great family. Plus, I lucked out and married into an amazing family myself. Will is getting the opportunity through work to go to Europe, and I was able to say “sure, yeah, go ahead” because my mom and mother-in-law are going to fly out here to help me. When I told my mom about it, despite everything in her life being kinda crazy right now, she just said “Of course, we’ll figure it out.” No hesitation.

I have amazing friends that still spend time with me even though I’m not very easy to understand and taking me anywhere is work. My local friends still invite me to things, often going out of their way to make things easier for me, and my old friends still call me sometimes, text me, and send me things (digitally and physically) that make me smile.

And then there’s Will. What to say about Will? Putting too much emphasis on any one person is a lot of responsibility for them and also undermines all of the other hard work that goes into my life, but there is no denying that things would look a lot differentl if it weren’t for him. I think he kind of likes being the “responsible one”, but this morning I came downstairs to Will on his hands and knees in the kitchen, scrubbing the floor. A literal labor of love. I’m so lucky to have married a man who is a good cook, likes to do household projects, and will scrub the floor. Plus, he makes me laugh. And I don’t mind looking at him. Maybe without him I’d just figure it out, but it’s a lot easier -and more fun!- to do it together.

It’s hard to write about stuff like this without feeling like it’s just one big brag session, but my peeps listen to me complain enough. It’s time to give some credit where credit is due.