Solidarity

I think that when some big things happen in life, like the death of a loved one, a chronic illness (like Lyme Disease), or an injury, or something else that makes your life change drastically, you, most times unwillingly, are entered into a club. A club of people separate from the normal life and daily 'worries' that most people live in.  Your biggest concern is no longer what to wear, what to eat for dinner, vacation or business decisions. Your biggest concern is how to get through one day.  Today.

You have entered a world of challenges and changes coming so fast and from everywhere that it's hard to keep up.  Nobody teaches you how to give up your job, your social life, your school, or other things that make your life your life.   It's easy to feel alone, desolate.  After all, everyone else is still concerned with the latest hairstyle or where they'll go next for vacation and they don't really understand what you're going through.  (Keep in mind, through no fault of their own - I mean, face it - you didn't consider that life could be so hard until 'it' happened to you.)

But the other side to the usual 'odd man out' feeling is that you have become a member of this thing called the 'hard knock life.'  There are plenty of people who are also suffering invisibly, just like you are.  You probably don't see them at work, or at the library, or in your normal everyday life.  But they're there.  You just have to find them.  (Thank GOD for the internet, right?)

Some of you may be familiar with the political state of Wisconsin right now - there's a recall election coming up, tomorrow actually, to decide if we want to keep our present Governor, Scott Walker, or elect someone else, Mayor of Milwaukee Tom Barrett to take over.  I only mention it because one of the bigger catchphrases of the side who wants to elect Tom Barrett  is the pro-union side, who often uses the uniting battle cry 'Solidarity!' to stick together with the rights of the union interests.

Solidarity means sticking together, a group of people with a common interest or common responsibilities.  And that's us.  Even though you probably won't meet others struggling with chronic illness or grief or injury in your every day life, you are not alone.  There are others with your shared interest (getting through today) and your shared responsibilities.  You just need to find them.  And if you read this, you just did.