I Was There For You
Where are you for me now?
Reposted with permission from the author's blog.
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I was reading my local newspaper this morning, and as I read the letters to the editor, I let them get to me.
One writer indicated that reform just wasn't justified. Others have said that if people don't have insurance it's their fault. Apparently, if you don't have insurance you're lazy.
Nope. Not lazy. I have a chronic illness, called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Lupus for short. I did not get it because of poor choices in my life. I was told by two different physicians that I would not see my 35th birthday. I'm 46 today, and healthy. Very healthy. Because I take care of myself. You wouldn't know to look at me that I've suffered a massive heart attack, pneumonia more times than I can count, nephritis, massive skin sores, plurisy, on and on.
Over all the years I've known I've had this disease, what have I done?
I've helped you. I've helped you with your children. Provided for them when you couldn't, or wouldn't. Protected them - sometimes from you.
I've rescued the pets you abandoned, and sometimes the ones you abused. I've rehabilitated others so that you could have a lifelong friend - one who was totally devoted to you.
I've made sure that there were things in this community for your enjoyment. For your quality of life. And you really, really enjoyed them!
I've stood longer, argued longer, and held my breath longer, so that you could get what you needed.
Your business is here because I thought you should be able to have it. Your home is liveable because I got involved when others wouldn't.
I've stepped out and provided you opportunities you didn't have without me.
In disasters, I was there when others weren't. And I was likely sick at the time. But I was still there. And your home still stands because I was.
I've paid for your meal & I've paid for your groceries, when you couldn't.
I've made sure that the least among us had what they needed. And I've not done it nearly enough. Neither have you.
I've stood between you and "the man", when you were about to be deprived. And you weren't.
I've found myself in the most amazing situations, and I rarely tell anyone about any of it. Some who know me well, know of some of these things. Even my husband doesn't know about everything, but he knows I'll always do something that needs to be done.
I've never, ever asked you for anything. Sometimes, when you had the opportunity to thank me, or asked me what you could do for me in return, I told you, "pass it on". I hope you have. But it wasn't required. I gave to you because I love you.
But - somehow, my health care isn't justified.
It's called heartache, because it actually hurts your heart.