Independence Day

Today is Independence Day. What does Independence Day mean to you? Is it a day you spend with family and friends? It’s the birthday of our United States of America – the day the colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. We celebrate with parades and cookouts and fireworks.

What does independence mean on a personal level? Independence vs. dependence. When we’re in high school and college, we can’t wait to be on our own. We want to declare our independence from our parents. We want to prove we’re independent. This desire to be independent goes back further than our teen years. Toddlers discover a new skill and proudly assert “me do it”.

I once heard that you shouldn’t ask someone else to do something you can do for yourself. When you’re diagnosed with an autoimmune disease like Crohn’s, you give up some of your independence.

For me, my IBD (irritable bowel disease) journey began about four months after I got married. What a way to start married life. We had no idea how soon the marriage vows would be tested, especially, “in sickness and in health”. My husband has always stood by my side.

Crohn’s stole some of my independence. Once I was diagnosed, I was dependent on my medications, my doctor, my husband, my parents and my body. I depend on my medication to keep my going each day. I depend on my doctor to guide me on this journey. I depend on my husband to encourage me, comfort me, love me and take care of me on the days I don’t have the energy to be independent. I depend on my parents to take me to appointments and to take care of my children. I depend on my body to let me know when I need to rest. And, there are so many others I depend on – my in-laws, especially my mother in-law; my friends; my children; and, I even depend on my dog. I depend on all of them. If I was not able to be dependent on friends and family, I would not have energy for the times I can be independent.

Most importantly, I depend on my faith to get me through the struggles I face with this disease.

Reflection: As you celebrate Independence Day, think about who you depend on and who depends on you.