I’ve talked about Dawnie before. As blessed as I have been in finding friends among my Bandmates, Dawnie has always been a bit aside from that.
I was intimidated by her at first. She was so…with it. When she reached out to me to ask me to join one of her teams, I was nervous and worried about disappointing her. Through working with her, I started to learn more about her. Dawnie has a bubbly personality that just wins you over. You can’t help but smile when chatting with her, it’s contagious.
Time passed, lives took over, and things changed. While we are both still working with The Band, Dawnie and I are no longer on the same teams. Which makes me a sad panda since it’s less often I get to see her smiling face.
Yesterday, we had a lovely video chat. She’ll be helping out with Band Back Together’s upcoming auction** and we were going over some details. After business, we chatted about life and such.
It’s funny, I had nearly forgotten that Dawnie is also a spoonie. She’s just so vibrant, it’s hard to think of anything else. But listening as she shared stories of friendships that were hurt by her diagnosis and certain coping mechanisms she’s had to employ, I was reminded that I’m not alone.
Yes, I have wonderful friends and adopted family that support me. But to have friends who actually GET IT makes all the difference in the world. When you say you hurt, they know the depths hidden in that small word. When you say you don’t feel well, they know that for the understatement it is.
When you’re angry at the world, angry for being sick, angry at your body for betraying you, they KNOW.
Chatting with Dawnie yesterday was a smile and a hug of understanding on a chilly, worn down day.
I’ve got something special in mind to thank her, hopefully I can whip it together in the next few days.
Self care yesterday was fairly simple. I spent the day at home, in pajamas, bundled in a blanket. I napped in my recliner, cranked out some work, then curled up with my book. And spent the evening with my love, relaxed and as comfortable as I could be.
For a Monday, it was nicer than I expected. And isn’t that something to be thankful for?
**If you’d like to know more about the auction or you have something you’d like to donate, please email auction@bandbacktogether.com
BecominNeurotic 
No matter what kind of day I’m having, I know that I can always count on my spoonies like you to understand. xoxo
Isn’t is wonderful, being understood without saying a word?
Okay I’m having a bad head day (Fucking migraine!) where little is making sense to me but what is a spoonie? I may be stupid. Please use small words. 🙂
Tia, you are so much better than I am at self-care. I really need to take a page or two from your book. I know that your chronic pain kind of FORCES you to take care of yourself (similar to the migraines that hit me when I’m already at my lowest point) but you are also very aware of what you need to do for yourself and your body. Reading about it helps me be more aware, too.
Crys- I heart you! I’m sorry your migraines are so frequent lately 😦 A spoonie is someone with an invisible illness. It comes from The Spoon Theory. Don’t feel bad either, I didn’t have a clue when Dawnie called me a spoonie the first time. And your migraines? They’re just as big of a deal as my chronic pain. Self-care is a daily struggle for me, that’s why I’ve made it my mission this month. And I have something similar in mind for December. You’re welcome to join me 🙂