Today marks four years since my first symptoms of Covid-19. I am, as you probably know, still living with long Covid. Many of you are living with chronic illness, too. All of you are living with some sort of suffering that just won’t quit—because that’s apparently how this whole being human thing works. With all that in mind, I thought maybe you would like to read this letter from my today self to my four-years-ago self. Here goes . . .
"Terrible things pull treasures in their wake." This line literally sent a shiver through me. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute and the wise retrospective view of your 4-years-hence self. And as to your 2024 neck...#elastigirlkicksass 💪
My four year anniversary was March 5. I think you've found a lot more gratitude for this struggle than I have, so maybe I should work on that, since I did get many gifts from covid. But I'm in the strange place of being well enough that everyone thinks I'm fully well, while the internal reality is much more complicated. I feel like I'm back to living at the pace of outside world, and I'm grateful to be able to do it, but there is still a deep, core level of TIRED. My fantasy is to have 6 months to pause, reflect on it all, focus on exercise and sleep and good food, and then maybe I could be truly well. The kind of well where you *want* to do things. Not the kind of well where you can once again force yourself.
But, at any rate: Congratulations to us all for making it through! And congratulations to you, Lisa, for being able to offer yourself so much kindness. Maybe I will get there later on. :-) Fighting!
Wow—your “before” photo gives me all kinds of feels, and I’ve never even met you in person! It’s a good thing we don’t know what’s coming down the pike, isn’t it. I’m so happy you’re getting better, and so happy you’re sharing the good things that can come with such catastrophic change, if we can bear it. What was your phrase about the treasures trailing after? Ah, yes: “terrible things pull treasures in their wake.” A poet’s line—just gorgeous!
I am so grateful you exist and that you have the reflective capacity and wisdom to gaze backwards, center deeply in the present, and nod lovingly to the future. What gifts! The photo of sis and you is a gem! 🙂
I am so glad that you not only survived these four years, but that you continue to find new ways to thrive! (I’m addressing that to you, but I’m cc:ing myself. 😊)
"Terrible things pull treasures in their wake." This line literally sent a shiver through me. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute and the wise retrospective view of your 4-years-hence self. And as to your 2024 neck...#elastigirlkicksass 💪
My four year anniversary was March 5. I think you've found a lot more gratitude for this struggle than I have, so maybe I should work on that, since I did get many gifts from covid. But I'm in the strange place of being well enough that everyone thinks I'm fully well, while the internal reality is much more complicated. I feel like I'm back to living at the pace of outside world, and I'm grateful to be able to do it, but there is still a deep, core level of TIRED. My fantasy is to have 6 months to pause, reflect on it all, focus on exercise and sleep and good food, and then maybe I could be truly well. The kind of well where you *want* to do things. Not the kind of well where you can once again force yourself.
But, at any rate: Congratulations to us all for making it through! And congratulations to you, Lisa, for being able to offer yourself so much kindness. Maybe I will get there later on. :-) Fighting!
Wow—your “before” photo gives me all kinds of feels, and I’ve never even met you in person! It’s a good thing we don’t know what’s coming down the pike, isn’t it. I’m so happy you’re getting better, and so happy you’re sharing the good things that can come with such catastrophic change, if we can bear it. What was your phrase about the treasures trailing after? Ah, yes: “terrible things pull treasures in their wake.” A poet’s line—just gorgeous!
Letting go is powerful medicine!
My ronaversary is coming up on 4/1. Happy you’re here. This is beautiful, thank you for sharing.
I am so grateful you exist and that you have the reflective capacity and wisdom to gaze backwards, center deeply in the present, and nod lovingly to the future. What gifts! The photo of sis and you is a gem! 🙂
I am so glad that you not only survived these four years, but that you continue to find new ways to thrive! (I’m addressing that to you, but I’m cc:ing myself. 😊)