I have a couple distant family members who struggle with Crohns. On the surface they hide it well, but I remember my cousin confiding in me about it and it was pretty eye-opening. It really puts things into perspective as to we as humans are quick to put up those kinds of walls to protect us from the judgmental eye of others, yet there's nearly a 100% chance that those who judge us are dealing with some form of inner demons.
My biggest struggle may not be directly health-related but almost certainly emotionally-related. I've always had trouble with reciprocity throughout my life; it hasn't been diagnosed at all, but I have a hunch that not putting in the effort to offer something - material or immaterial - similar to those who offer me something gives off the wrong impression of how people view me as a friend or family member or loved one. I've always been the one in the room who would listen to others' conversations, tolerate others' opinions, and laugh at others' jokes before I took my turn. I remember the scene from Goodfellas before the gangsters were about to bury Billy Bats and were forced to eat a meal with Tommy's mom because they woke her up. At the kitchen table where Jimmy, Tommy and his mother were talking about paintings of dogs and fisherman, there was Henry sitting quietly, and Tommy's mother lightly judged him for being so quiet as if he didn't want to be there. Personally I always enjoy the company of my friends, but I can see why being quiet can give off that impression.
I feel like this lack of reciprocity and overall quietness has branched out into social insecurity and mild depression. I've lost sleep and have skipped meals thinking about things like this. That being said, I feel like actually putting these thoughts into text is a bit therapeutic for me, if not a temporary fix. Typing about this even more makes me think that there has to be someone else who feels similarly. What do yall think?
A boy has the right to dream. There are endless possibilities stretched out before him. What awaits him down the path he will then have to choose; the boy doesn't always know. At some point the boy then becomes an adult, and learns what he was able to become. Joy and sadness will forever accompany this. He is confronted with a choice; when this happens, does he bid his past farewell in his heart? Once a boy becomes an adult, he can no longer go back to being a boy; the boy is now a man. Only one thing can be said: "A boy has the right to dream.". For those endless possibilities are stretched out before him.
We must remember...all men were once boys.