Always Something to Keep You Focused

There is a lot of truth to the perception that those with Sickle Cell Disease do a lot of frowning and always tend to look mad.  I find that I am constantly frowning.  My wife always reminds me to, "Smile...God Loves You".  In that same thought, she reminds me of how forturnate I  am to have my parents living  Over the 30 years we have been married she has witnessed them and their efforts to keep me not only healthy physically, mentally and emotionally but to provide as much support as possible.   Those of us with SCD must learn to appreciate that we have wonderful friends that keep us encouraged but they pale to keep pace with family.

I am fortunate to have a loving wife of 30 years and 3 wonderful children.  What's not to smile about?  Well, it doesn't take long for you to figure out how self centered I am or could be (I continue to work on this fault).  As soon as something goes wrong that involves my health, which may be daily, I get into fighters mode and the frown returns.  As a retort to the sayings;   "Think Positive and It Will Happen...or Smile and You Will Feel Good!" I told someone, "I like to see where my bullets are coming from."

How do we become less agressive?  Is it Pain Management?  How do we handle the daily and contiuous frustrations pain brings to the table or the frustation that a decision you made and prayed about did not go as planned?  You see we get up each day with the expectation that something will present to us a challenge as it relates to our health.   Many of us who are over 50 have outlived the average mortality reported by data to the NIH (National Institutes of Health).  We all can thank God for his Word and Protection.  We can thank our friends who once whispered behind our backs that we were weak and would not be around for long.  The thought of those voices who whispered behind my back keeps me going each day.  I wonder if this is an underlying reason of why I carry this frown on my face?

The other day on my way to a doctors appointment we were listening to the radio and a song was being played.  It was Kirk Franklin called "I Smile".  "Today is a new day"....Sho' would hate for you to give up now... I Smile".  "Smile for me can you just smile for me...You look so much better when you smile."  Hardships, difficulties...We know it's hard right now....You look so much better.  Have Joy!"

Thank God for a wonderful Family....I Smile!  Happy Fathers Day to all Dads.