Ten Years...

I realized this morning (during my run) that this fall marks the ten year anniversary of my diagnosis with rheumatoid arthritis. Its strange to think that its been that long. Ten years of good days and bad days, good months and bad months, helpful meds and awful meds. But its also been ten years of walking, dancing and running. It has been lifting my babies and walking along side of them. Its been sewing, knitting and writing. Ten years of pain but ten years of smiles and laughter. Most importantly, its been ten years of balance (or figuring out the balance). I certainly never thought that a sharp pain in my toe would have lead to this journey.

I will keep all of this in mind this weekend when I'm running in the Jingle Bell Run, in support of arthritis research. Not everyone is as lucky in pain management and long term damage control as I have been. I am thankful for my successes.