It was a beautiful day at the beach. We were vacationing with my husband’s aunt and uncle at their beach home in Atlantic Beach. The guys had taken the boat out, fishing. The girls were planning some time on the beach. Sounded relaxing. I was looking forward to the ocean breeze. Suddenly, it hit me . . . Crohn’s had other plans for my afternoon . . . imagine the worse case of diarrhea you’ve ever had, plus, nausea and abdominal pain.
More times than not, my daughter and the rest of my family had heard “change of plans”. Thankfully, they all understand. I can give my husband a look and he knows to stop whatever we’re doing and take me home. One of the really bad side effects of this disease is how it affects those we love.
So, I spent that beautiful afternoon at the beach in the house, curled up on the couch while my daughter played on the beach with my husband’s aunt. Thank God for family who can be there when I can’t.
I try to keep my change of plans from changing the plans of my family and friends.
A silver lining has been that when I have a flare up, my children have enjoyed extra time with their grandparents or other extended family.
Reflection: What change in your life turned out to be a positive that you thought would be a negative?
Hidden in Plain Sight 