tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post542086043885670914..comments2023-05-16T17:11:21.511-07:00Comments on Dreams at Stake: Finding Grace When "Life is Hard"Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01688914443102913569noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-26691691530957070862011-05-14T14:43:15.353-07:002011-05-14T14:43:15.353-07:00Absolutely beautifully written. Sending you much l...Absolutely beautifully written. Sending you much love xEmmaLouisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14598546241373863956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-51832998196035995782011-01-09T07:51:55.413-08:002011-01-09T07:51:55.413-08:00Hi Laurel,
I am touched by your post. I have ME/C...Hi Laurel,<br /><br />I am touched by your post. I have ME/CFS myself, but in a much milder form than you. Still it seems that the same themes come up in our thoughts and posts. I am quoting you in my own blog post on this topic (which is in Dutch, by the way), because you have a beautiful way of writing. Thank you very much. Your strength inspires me.<br /><br />Fransien<br />andallshallbewell.blogspot.comFransienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724945095573422745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-71051382818293937942010-11-28T21:03:46.786-08:002010-11-28T21:03:46.786-08:00From The Great Gilly Hopkins:
"Nothing's...From <i>The Great Gilly Hopkins</i>:<br /><br />"Nothing's turned out the way it's supposed to."<br /><br />"How you mean supposed to? Life ain't supposed to be nothing, 'cept maybe tough... All that stuff about happy endings is lies. The only ending in this world is death. Now that might or might not be happy, but either way, you ain't ready to die... Sometimes in this world things come easy, and you tend to lean back an say, 'Well, finally, happy ending. This is the way things is supposed to be.' Like life owed you good things...And there is lots of good things, baby... But you just fool yourself if you expect good things all the time. They ain't what's regular - don't nobody owe 'em to you. "<br /><br />"If life is so bad, how come you're so happy?"<br /><br />"Did I say bad? I said it was tough. Nothing to make you happy like doing good on a tough job, now is there?"<br /><br />--Katherine Pattersoncinderkeyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01578961959712679966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-65648698524639842822010-11-26T10:18:08.399-08:002010-11-26T10:18:08.399-08:00hope is inviting from any angle. thanks for sayin...hope is inviting from any angle. thanks for saying it so well. sorry to hear of your struggles. u r a woman of courage. keep on!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-87469776600776782010-11-25T03:28:04.574-08:002010-11-25T03:28:04.574-08:00What a great post, you are a great and articulate ...What a great post, you are a great and articulate writer. It reminds me of when I was little and I was crying because I had hurt myself in some way, and it really did hurt. My dad laughed at me and said that things hurt much more when you are grown up, meaning I should be braver now in preparation. I was stunned (as it really had hurt) and I had no idea how grown ups coped with so much pain! But on reflection I think it has actually been the other way around, despite being in more pain these days. As a child everything is so much in that moment it is overwhelming! But being in the moment also has the advantages you speak of, I am glad you have not lost that. Me too: It reminds me also that I was often told (before I got ill) that my powers of observation were good. I would point things out to people that they would otherwise miss and they would enjoy seeing them, and the beauty I could see. I think this has stood me in good stead through illness. Life is amazing, I love your last paragraph.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-55118818148025289932010-11-24T22:56:34.811-08:002010-11-24T22:56:34.811-08:00What a lovely lovely post. Thanks!What a lovely lovely post. Thanks!Baffledhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16763003920036754454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-91142505145237845642010-11-24T22:26:56.182-08:002010-11-24T22:26:56.182-08:00Hi Laurel. :) I'd just posted my blog entry at...Hi Laurel. :) I'd just posted my blog entry at the phoenix forums when I saw your new post there. I can't help but feel that we both wrote about very similar things today.<br /><br />I'd written about the people who find the courage to live no matter the odds against them. And how I have found kinship with them on this road I now walk. <br /><br />I was very surprised tonight to find that you stood beside me upon this road, within touching distance across these miles. <br /><br />Big hugs, LisaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-70609130213946763192010-11-24T18:26:36.089-08:002010-11-24T18:26:36.089-08:00What a great way to end my day. And what a great ...What a great way to end my day. And what a great reminder that our lives are important and blessed. I often have people ask me if my life stinks but I have never been able to say that. It is hard, challenging and frustrating but there is so much good about it as well.<br /><br />One of the greatest blessings for me this year, Laurel, has been getting to know you. You are on my Grateful List that I will think upon tomorrow.<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving (again)dominiquehttp://www.4wallsandaview.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-49220939892144705132010-11-24T12:15:58.856-08:002010-11-24T12:15:58.856-08:00Wow -- thank you so much for all your beautiful an...Wow -- thank you so much for all your beautiful and lovely comments! I'm humbled and touched. You are all amazing. It's a wonder to me how strong our spirits remain despite all we've been through. It helps to have each other as well. Thanks again for taking the time to comment -- I love hearing from you and so appreciate your kind words of support and encouragement.<br /><br />And Joanne and VW, I agree -- my fiance is a star! :)Laurelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01688914443102913569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-12119013318401421472010-11-24T11:26:45.030-08:002010-11-24T11:26:45.030-08:00Written so well. Peace to you.Written so well. Peace to you.Fighterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17597126975588556588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-50126642123791487752010-11-24T09:35:00.716-08:002010-11-24T09:35:00.716-08:00Thank you for such a beautiful post, Laurel. I tal...Thank you for such a beautiful post, Laurel. I talk about this theme in my book -- that this is just our life, even with all our difficulties. It's just our life and there is much grace all around us.<br /><br />You are a powerful writer, Laurel. I wish your writings could be published for many people to see. You can inspire others, whether they are sick or not. Just beautiful.Tonihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729837575450453607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-924474151929564942010-11-24T02:13:54.997-08:002010-11-24T02:13:54.997-08:00Yes, it is still a life, and it is your life. With...Yes, it is still a life, and it is <i>your</i> life. With all <i>my</i> struggles and pain I don't think I'd swap with anyone. <br /><br />You reach a lot of people Laurel.Dusty Bogwranglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14378437798741434260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-87709343743344534682010-11-23T20:35:15.601-08:002010-11-23T20:35:15.601-08:00So well written, good job. I find myself saying, ...So well written, good job. I find myself saying, or at least thinking, "Well, life is hard," all the time. But that doesn't mean it still isn't good, and even fun. <br /><br />It's still a life - totally.Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07064893477629124444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-22398707400404206572010-11-23T20:34:56.416-08:002010-11-23T20:34:56.416-08:00Beautiful and moving post Laurel. Thank you for be...Beautiful and moving post Laurel. Thank you for being such an articulate voice for those of us who struggle to find ours as we try to live with a such a severe level of this disease.me/cfs warriorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01299057722862223585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-13501790033490673762010-11-23T17:10:41.667-08:002010-11-23T17:10:41.667-08:00Dearest Laurel
Yourwisdom, insights, and true love...Dearest Laurel<br />Yourwisdom, insights, and true love for life continue to amaze me. You are a very gifted writer and I pray some day what you have learned and shaped into sentences, paragraphs and articles will be put into a book for all the world to read. <br />Thank you for reminding me how important it is to appreciate my life each day...how I need to treat my body with respect whether I am sofa bound or able to be active like now. You are so right...fromt this day forward I will not speak of life being hard or unfair...but just circumstances. You are so right~ life is pretty amazing on any level!Reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-17023168062575630412010-11-23T16:41:30.474-08:002010-11-23T16:41:30.474-08:00Oh laurel you had me laughing with your tale of be...Oh laurel you had me laughing with your tale of being forced to eat brocolli & being told by parents "life is hard", i was taken back to my childhood being forced to eat cauliflower & told the same. Nothing was harder than being forced to eat veg because we had nothing to compare it to! I never understood the line "life is hard" other than a phrase adults use when they don't know what else to say. <br />Your so right that you have to express your emotions, have a whinge now & again, it is healthy! And your fiancé sounds very supportive & allow you to freely let go of pent up frustrations. What a star! Your struggles, loss, physical difficulties would test even the most positive of person, you wouldn't be human to be positive all of the time & trying to be positive all the time would cause you to crack at some point & chuck more than positivity out of the window! People say to me "I don't know how you cope", well you just do, because you adapt, your heart may shatter at thoughts of loss but you still know that life is good, the flowers, the sky, the love of family & friends. You may have been tested to what seems like your limits at times but you still come through these things & when all else seems lost you find gratitude in the smallest of things that others don't even notice & take for granted. You are being you, just you, when everything else is stripped away, you have found your spirit & gratitude of life & that is something that many people will go through their whole lives & still not discover. People can hide behind work, tv, reading, keeping themselves busy but when you are faced with just you, out comes the beauty of spirit & that is evident with you laurel. Xxxxvwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08083830023291670510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-352764691027587142010-11-23T14:32:23.863-08:002010-11-23T14:32:23.863-08:00Thank you for your wonderfully positive post, Laur...Thank you for your wonderfully positive post, Laurel. I feel the same, but I doubt I could have said it as well!Juliethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14861589817615423847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-70496595150671308992010-11-23T14:26:42.048-08:002010-11-23T14:26:42.048-08:00Hi Laurel, great post as usual. There seems to be ...Hi Laurel, great post as usual. There seems to be a lot of these thoughts swimming around for people at the moment. My last blog post is on the same subject - http://cfsngay.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-was-gonna-talk-about-my-recent-crash.html<br />and there are links to 2 other people blogs about the same subject from within mine.<br />Oh and by the way, it may feel like we are whining all the time but given the gravity of what we face everyday I think we're entitled! xxLee Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614823402670740413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-65981630996139514832010-11-23T12:51:57.735-08:002010-11-23T12:51:57.735-08:00Thank you Joanne, Michelle, Karen & upnorth fo...Thank you Joanne, Michelle, Karen & upnorth for all your wonderful comments. You guys (or I should say, gals) are the best. Upnorth -- yes, you can always post a link to any of my posts if you would like to -- I'd be honored! I'm glad you found it helpful in dealing with your own situation. That always is so nice to hear.<br /><br />Hope this finds everyone doing as well as can be. Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it, and even to those of you in the UK and Canada and elsewhere who don't. :) I'm so grateful for all my readers/friends out there.Laurelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01688914443102913569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-74218657591930361532010-11-23T12:25:57.265-08:002010-11-23T12:25:57.265-08:00I agree with Sofa, you are a brilliant writer...ca...I agree with Sofa, you are a brilliant writer...can I post a link to this on my blog? It speaks very well to my struggles of late, coming to terms with all the restrictions this illness has placed on how I live. <br /><br />Laurel, you always seem to find a way to look at the positives....that and your gift of being able to put your thoughts into words....and I totally agree with what you say, life itself is still beautiful despite all the struggles and obsticles we endure.upnorthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04283010424792189579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-19338187106354875212010-11-23T11:25:05.081-08:002010-11-23T11:25:05.081-08:00You are a beautiful writer Laurel.
I often think...You are a beautiful writer Laurel. <br /><br />I often think of you when I am having a 'tough' day; I think to myself if Laurel can be strong I can because I know that my experience of moderate M.E. is nothing compared to what you have been through. <br /><br />You are amazing. Your ability to find joy in such challenging circumstances is truly inspiring. <br /><br />Of course, we all hope that one day you will be able to experience joy without quite so much challenge.<br /><br />Lots of love to you Laurel...xxKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06527701495977302934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-42462953674041296422010-11-23T11:16:45.309-08:002010-11-23T11:16:45.309-08:00As usual, beautifully written!
Better to throw ...As usual, beautifully written! <br /><br />Better to throw gratitude out the window temporarily than the TV remote.<br /><br />I did that and have to wait 1.5 weeks for a replacement. Check with me on Thanksgiving to make sure I haven’t slipped into the “Twilight Zone”.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168792825239178484.post-84888726073994875422010-11-23T10:18:19.141-08:002010-11-23T10:18:19.141-08:00A beautifully written post Laurel from someone wit...A beautifully written post Laurel from someone with such wisdom and appreciation for the little things in life.<br />I pray that one day you too will be able to enjoy the bigger things of life once again.<br />What a wise fiancee you have how you must treasure each other through your terrible ordeals.<br />Hugs JoanneJoannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12905137222286141548noreply@blogger.com