It really doesn't sound that bad.

My husband was the first out of the two of us to get an auto-immune disease.  As I was new to experiencing his Type 1 Diabetes, I read up on it as much as I could.  It didn't sound that bad.  At all.  Experiencing it, though?  Totally different story.  Losing vision to low blood sugars.  Collapsing, fainting, black outs.  Anger with high blood sugars.  Severe emotions on either side.  Fatigue, headaches, shakiness, the numbing of extremities, muscle fatigue, shortness of breath, mental confusion.  These are not all, but some of the side effects of my husband's diabetes.  He had a stroke at the tender age of seventeen, and a heart attack at twenty six.  Reading something and experiencing them are two totally different things.  I have hypoglycemia, so I can, in a sense, understand a bit of what my hubby goes through.  I can never truly understand what living with Type 1 Diabetes is like, though.

The hubby and I.  Rockin' our auto-immune diseases.  It's what the cool kids are doing these days.

I read about M.S., and I'm like, "huh, why don't they make it sound as bad as it is?  That doesn't sound bad at all."  Overall pain?  No, throbbing, stabbing, numbness.  Fatigue so severe you can't even move.  The worst sorts of migraines, backaches, knee aches, um, everything aches.  Memory so bad, you forget the conversation you're having at the moment.  Pain from typing on yo dang bloggy blog.  My fingers hurt.  Serious stomach cramps.  All zee time.  I never get a break.  Reading about it sounds so much more pleasant than the reality of it.  True story.  

    

"And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air."

The fourth of July is without a doubt my favorite holiday.  First of all all, it's warm, you got parades, you're barbecuing, there's fireworks, and most of all, I am a history buff.  There isn't a better holiday when you're a nerd.  It's my country's holiday.  My country that I love so dearly.  I am a huuuuge patriot.  I live and die for this country.  There isn't anything I wouldn't do for her.  But the history alone.  America fought for its freedom to be an independent country, free from England.  On this day in 1776, 50,000 men were killed or wounded so far in the fight for my country.  Even as a child, and a thought I continue to this day, I close my eyes during the fourth of July fireworks and listen to "the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air."  Fireworks are so much fun, it's a time honored tradition.  But more than their beauty, they're a reminder of the fighting.  A reminder of what it took for our country to be what it is today.  Close your eyes as you enjoy your fireworks tonight, even for just a moment.  As you're surrounded by the sound of "gunshots," imagine the sacrifice and courage it must have taken for these brave men who gave their lives so that we may enjoy what we have today.  I can sense it as I smell the smoke, hear the "bombs," feel the warm breeze across my face.  I can almost feel the sense of fear, adrenaline, and pride, willing to die for a country I believe in.

"The hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are free men, fighting for the blessings of Liberty -- that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men." -- George Washington, 1776