I don't know about you, but this has been a rather depressing month for me. I just haven't felt like posting at all, with everything that has happened in the nation and the world.
Then yesterday I was officially diagnosed with Celiac Sprue. Basically it means that I can’t eat gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley, and perhaps oats, so it’s easy to see how avoiding gluten isn’t easy, and why Thanksgiving in particular might not be fun. It’s not just the rolls and stuffing I can’t eat; it’s the green bean casserole, the glazed ham, the pies, and even things like salad dressing and gravy.
Perhaps it should have been depressing, but the diagnosis actually had the opposite effect for me: it has made me strangely grateful. As some of you know, I’ve known for years that Celiac Disease or not, I don’t tolerate gluten at all. A diagnosis simplifies my life a lot; I no longer have to explain or try to justify my diet to doctors, waiters, or know-it-all family members. It’s actually kind of nice—in a sad I-can-never-have-pizza-again sort of way.
Anyway, it got me thinking of all I am thankful for: my family, a supportive husband, a stable job, plenty of food (gluten free, mind you), all those law school waivers which slashed the cost of applications, the basic life skills I’ve developed (you come to appreciate those pretty quick when you work as a college counselor…), friends, good books, kittens (so cute!), inventions like washing machines and grain mills, a comfortable house, holidays, little things like lotion and chapstick… Really, I have a lot to be grateful for. (Sorry, editors! I couldn’t think of another normal way to word the sentence.)
I wish I were better at remembering the good things in life rather than focusing on the bad, but I think I’m slowly improving. I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving week and can find plenty for which to be grateful. (Editors: how’s that?)
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4 comments:
Kammi,
I know (almost) exactly how you feel. My oldest son has Celiac disease and it was a relief on one hand to know what was wrong, but stressful on the other hand since he is the pickiest eater alive. Its' been a challenge but nice to see him finally feeling better.
Anyway, email me sometime if you'd like and I'll pass on some resources and suggestions. And by the way, you CAN have pizza again, it'll just be homemade.
We did a gluten-free milk free diet for a while, and you're right, there's a mourning phase for all the good, easy stuff.
Please email me privately for killer brownie and muffin recipes!
I enjoyed reading your post. I can't have sugar, so I can relate to your thoughts. But, like you, I think there is so much to be thankful for.
Thank you for sharing, and one day we'll have to go to lunch somewhere where they don't serve gluten or sugar. Sound good?
Sounds good, JoAnn. :) I try to avoid sugar too, but I usually fail miserably. Why does sugar have to taste so good? Wouldn't life be easy if sugar were good for you and vegetables were bad? Or maybe it'd just be easier if we all loved the taste of veggies and hated sugar...
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