01/16/2023
Today is my 5 year Celiac-aversary! Every year, I do something special to celebrate because it is a day that changed my life forever.
The first four months were devastating. I missed food, the social aspect of food, ordering takeout with co-workers, being able to go out to eat with friends and family, and restaurant openings. I felt like a part of me died.
As many times as I wanted to just eat whatever, I didn't, and stuck to my doctor's orders by remaining gluten free. Then, one day, I realized I wasn't sick. The dull headache I had for years was gone, my stomach wasn't in turmoil, and I was able to complete a sentence. This realization changed my perspective, and I chose to be positive about this diagnosis, moving forward.
Usually, I treat myself to something sweet, but the shops I would go to are no longer in business. So today, I made myself (and my family) some sweets, and took some time to reflect on how far I have come.
Yes, there are days I: feel sorry for myself, don't want to cook, get frustrated trying to figure out what to eat, and sometimes go to bed without eating. But I get up the next day and start over with an appreciation that I am no longer suffering.
Yes, living with this disease is inconvenient, but life is what we make it. I choose to be thankful. Thankful: for my diagnosis, I am able to share my baking with others, and able to give people a sense of normalcy.
