A NEW FRIEND

I wrote this the day that I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Little did I know how prophetic it would be.

A New Friend
CIGNA WAITING ROOM Feb. 6, 2001

As I look around me, I see the effects of aging on the many patients sitting here. Many who were once vital young people - farmers, laborers, mothers, executives - all are bearing out the truth of the second law of thermodynamics. Everything Decays.

My aching seems trivial. The ravages of real disease takes a grim toll of the bodies of my companions. But what lays behind their eyes? Happier days I trust. Maybe even continuing joyful experiences. But today - they are set aside with pain.

Pain! The friend and enemy of all men. Friend because it signals a possible problem. Enemy because it interferes with the living of life. Why not go silently - quietly to the grave. Why must they groan - Why must I?

Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good... and that includes pain - discomfort - disease. Dis-Ease! The absence of ease. The ease that in my younger years I took so for granted.

Yes pain interrupts my plans - my desires - my peace. It wakes me in the night and says "Here I am, make friends with me. I will be your companion from now on.

So as I sit here - praying for a miracle shot - some wonder drug - a healing touch - I am aware of all these lovely wizened lined faces that I see around me. Now I say resignedly,

"Welcome my friend, Pain - but please don’t stay around too long."