Another Thanksgiving - It's Been Quite a Year! Here are my Thanks!

Here it is almost Thanksgiving again. Teri's Thanksgiving sharepost got me thinking. Last year at this time my business coaching business was already feeling the effects of the economy and I was feeling the effects of one of my worst Migraine years ever. I had begun working with several clients with chronic illnesses, and it was that quiet Thanksgiving time, away from home, away from work, with lots of walks and talks with my family members, where I always do a lot of thinking. I had a big realization over Thanksgiving, that all the work I had done for sixteen years, to manage my life with Migraines and chronic illness so that I could still work, was something that could help others. I was already bringing it to others one by one, but the internet, and blogging, provided this great oppportunity to bring it to a larger audience.

The first thing I did was I discovered this site, and the community of people who were already writing and sharing and blogging about Migraine, and the change in my life has been enormous. Before I tried to blog or write or share anything, I sat back for a month or two and listened to what this community had to say. I learned so much. All kinds of facts, yes, many technical things about Migraine I had never learned because I didn't think they pertained to me directly, or to anyone I was working with at that moment. But beyond the facts, which have enhanced my knowledge and understanding of myself and the people I work with, I also learned so much on an emotional level. About being in a community, about supporting and being supported by others, give and take, letting people in. 

I don't know that I have ever really struck anyone as tough, but it's been important to me in life to look like I have my act together. That's all very well and can get you to a certain point in life but there is also a need and a place for being real, being genuine and letting people in. Here at My Migraine Connection and in the forum on this site I have found a place where I can be genuine like that, and the give and take here has given me more than I can say. I am somewhat at a loss for words - but I am not the same person I was a year ago. I have become a member of this community and my life is not the same. So this Thanksgiving season I want to give thanks! 

Thanks to Teri Robert, Nancy Bonk, Eileen Gray, and Health Central for the space they provide us to learn, grow, share and hope.

Thanks to the brilliant and supportive community of Migraine bloggers - long may you thrive!

Thanks to the doctors and researchers who are working diligently to expand our understanding of this disease and how to treat it.

Thanks to my loving, funny, brilliant, supportive if sometimes baffled family who stand behind me in all my odd new ventures.

And while we're at it, at this time of year, thanks to the forebears, Pilgrim and Indian, who were willing to reach out and embrace the unknown, and make possible the world we know today.