If you can perform everydays tasks without pain, you might not fully understand the deep emotion that accompanies the title of this blog post. To you, I say, please read on. And to those who “get it,” well, you are well aware that it never hurts to take a moment to lift up a hearty “thank you” or two to those who toil, often anonymously, to make our lives a little easier.

    If you live with chronic illness or pain, it is often the littlest things that make the biggest difference in our lives. Certainly, the addition of wheelchair ramps and other thing that make buildings more accessible to the disabled are terrific developments.

   But, I ask you to consider, also, the lowly automatic jar opener. This seemingly mundane invention has enabled people like me, arthritis sufferers, to open jars of salsa or jam or gravy – without pain. Thank you to the person who thought it up and made it happen!

   Consider, too, the throw pillow. Who could have imagined its usefulness would transcend a merely decorative function to provide just that right comforting plushness to cradle sore feet or an aching back?

   Laceless walking shoes! Snaps! Stretchy things that slip off and on and don’t require us to fumble with clasps!

   How awesome is the elastic waistband!

   These are product that have transformed the world of many physically challenged people, and, these and others sure will continue to do so. And behind each thing is someone who thought it up and brought it to be.

   God’s inspiration is a marvelous thing!

    I believe that a heart full of appreciation is one that can shine a positive, warm light upon others – and how our world needs more positive, warm light! One of the ways we can express that appreciation is by thanking others for the things they do for us. Truly, when living with illness, there are many such people. We know a lot of them. But others are unknown to us. Yet, they touch our lives.

  This blog theme is one I hope to continue periodically, thanking those who work and help and make a difference, yet are individuals I may never meet.

  So, to all the people out there who have developed pain-sparing tools, gismos, and gadgets, I say, “Thank you!” And, I pray for each and every person who is thinking of other things that will enrich our lives for years to come.

Blessings for the day!

Maureen