A few weeks ago, someone that was newly diagnosed posted a question on a message board that I follow. She asked what people wish they had known when they were first diagnosed.

The question really struck me, and stayed with me. I have so many things that I have learned in the past 20-years that I would like to tell a younger version of myself, about coping with a chronic illness, about life, and faith; so, I decided to write this blog post. First, I was just impressed by the presence of mind and coping she’s displaying to reach out and ask such a meaningful question. I certainly was much more in a “why me?” “what now?” “how will this impact my life and future?” fear-based mindset, coupled with the relief of knowing there was an answer, I had a disease, and I wasn’t crazy.

This question made me immediately think of the song “Dear Younger Me” by Mercy Me.

The first verse goes…

“Dear younger me

Where do I start

If I could tell you everything that I have learned so far

Then you could be

One step ahead

Of all the painful memories still running thru my head

I wonder how much different things would be

Dear younger me,”

Here is my response both to the song and to the question on the message board. (please note I am not a poet or a musician 😛 )

Dear younger me

There’s so much to say, so much to learn

You don’t have to learn it all today.

Reach out to those around you, to those just trying to help

Your world seems so out of control right now, the future so uncertain

But you have help you don’t understand right now

Your body is not always in your control but you can do so much

Take a deep breathe that’s a bigger help and better advice then you understand.

(more…)