Why A Significant Day?

Like I lot of people, I've been rolling the idea of doing a blog around in my head for quite a while.  I mean, for years.  I've known the world can't do without my wisdom, I just didn't know what subject matter I wanted to cover with my blog.

My personal story was going to be integral to the prevailing theme of my blog, but as someone who has done me the courtesy of reading this first edition, I can assure you that you don't want regular health updates.  Like a slow-motion potter working with clay, or more like my daughter molding her play-doh over the course of several months into her grand opus, I decided that I wanted to build a place followers can come to see uplifting and amazing stories.

And thus the title.  You've undoubtedly heard how our lives are shaped by a few key moments or decisions.  The major we chose in college.  An injury we sustained.  A chance meeting that led to the love of our lives.  I've learned over the past several years that every day is significant, and not just filler between the "big" moments.  Every day is a gift. 

Much of this blog is therapy for me.  I've had Crohn's disease for thirty years. I'm in significant chronic pain from a facial nerve issue that is still undiagnosed.  According to neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, anesthesiologists, and places such as the Mayo Clinic the problem lies somewhere between the conditions of trigeminal neuralgia, SUNCT, and chronic paroxysmal hemicranias.  The bottom line is the right side of my face has hurt all day, every day, for eight years.  This facial pain has severely affected my day-to-day life, and that of my family.  I hike about a fourth of what I used to.  I don't mountain bike anymore.  I don't golf anymore.

But even with these conditions, God has given me a tremendous gift.  Or maybe it's a curse.  I'm hopelessly optimistic.  I always feel that I'll get better and that I will start doing the activities that I love again.  One of the most remarkable gifts, however, has been the many opportunities I've had to talk with families and patients who have faced the fear of being diagnosed with Crohn's disease, or started on drugs that can have daunting side effects and just want someone to walk that road with them for a while.

So yes, every day is significant.  Every day is a gift.  I hope this blog is entertaining, uplifting, and transformative for the reader, and the author.