Beautiful Days Of Autumn

Beautiful Days of Autumn

~ Angela Hall Dobbins

Autumn leaves swirl ‘round in circles

O’er the beautiful, shimmering pond,

And, in the meadow, wildflowers wake

Into the misty fog beyond.

The sparrows seem to dance a ballet

‘Round the oak tree’s branching bows,

And the mockingbirds sing their melodies

In the time to them nature allows.

Little cottontails scamper ‘cross the meadow,

All covered in sparkling dew,

To drink from a stream of rainwater

That has freshly fallen anew.

The squirrel is gathering nuts

For the winter yet to come.

And, though it seems he’s plenty,

He’s always lacking some.

These beautiful days of autumn

The beholder will long remember,

For each reveals the Creator’s heart,

In all its glorious splendor.


Photo art by Angela Hall Dobbins

For more Christian poetry and bits of wisdom, visit True Life Family Ministries

My Parents Don't Believe I Am Really Ill

Article written for Rest Ministries

Q/A

I am 36 and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last year, but I've had the severe symptoms for about 3 years. My husband has been supportive, but my parents don't believe I really have this illness and if I do I should just take the medicine they see on the commercials and get on with life.

I love them and want to still have some kind of relationship with them, but it is causing stress on my marriage too, because my husband can't bear to see me hurt by them any more. –Sherry


Dear Sherry,

I'm sorry you're hurting.  Sometimes it can be very difficult for others to understand or to accept the reality of a chronic illness. Often times, they don’t realize that the debilitating affects of an illness like Fibromyalgia vary from patient to patient and that, for many, it just isn‘t as easy as “pushing ourselves“ or “taking a pill” in order to maintain the life we once led. Unfortunately, the ads from pharmaceutical companies are aimed at selling a product and don’t adequately present the varied symptoms of such a complex disorder.

May I suggest a couple of resources that might help your parents gain a better understanding of how your illness affects you. One is a Fact Sheet from the National Fibromyalgia Association. And the other is an article titled, “What's Going On? A Simple Explanation of Fibromyalgia- Making Sense of a Complex Disorder, For Those Who Don't Have It”. The second is one of the best I’ve found and really describes how FM affects the body in simple, easy to understand terms. I hope it helps.

Beyond that, it is important for you to do whatever is needed to reduce the stress your relationship with your parents is placing on both yourself and your marriage. I know it’s heart-breaking to consider limiting the amount of contact between you. And I, myself, understand how painful it can be not to have the support of those dearest to you, especially when facing an illness. It can feel like a dagger through the heart sometimes. But, in order to improve and maintain your health as much as possible, it is crucial to address both your physical and emotional needs. Since we know that stress exacerbates the symptoms of FM, it’s important to limit stressful situations as much as possible and to maintain positive, supportive relationships in your life.

I’m so happy to hear that your husband is understanding and supportive! That is truly a blessing! And it may be that, one day, your parents will come to be supportive, as well. I would encourage you to share these articles with them. If you haven’t already done so, you might also try writing them a letter, expressing your feelings. Explain to them what a typical day, living with your symptoms, is like for you. If you have done all you can do to try to help them understand, and they still fail to be supportive, then it may be necessary to distance yourself from them for a time. Focus on doing all you can to have a positive emotional outlook and this will help you immensely, both in managing your FM and in dealing with your parents.

Sherry, I encourage you to pray for your parents’ understanding. And, at the same time, ask God to give you strength to change the things you can and peace to accept the things you can not. He can ease your hurt and help you learn to, once again, lead a joyful, productive life, even while managing the effects of your illness!

In Christian Love & Service,

Angela

Angela Dobbins, Founder
True Life Family Ministries
True Life Strategies- life coaching with hope & heart

Angela Dobbins is a Christian life coach in McKinney, TX. She lives daily with the effects of Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Complex, along with other disorders and sensitivities. Angela’s passion is to share God’s love with others and to assist them in becoming all He created them to be, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Other helpful articles you may want to check out:
"When Friends Don't Understand Your Invisible Illness: What To Do" by Lisa Copen, Rest Ministries