We spent the past weekend at the State 2A basketball championships. Our grandson (a junior) was excited and proud to be a part of a winning team. They won two and lost one ending up in 3rd place. Not bad for a schools first time making it to that level. I saw him ride an emotional roller coaster of pride and humility during those three days. When you work so hard for something it can be tough to admit defeat.

I can relate to his feelings similarly only in a different way. I can feel proud of myself when I accomplish something that has been just out of reach. 

I had my 6 month follow-up with my MS specialist today and was surprised when my weight was down a few more pounds. My upper body strength is the same as a year ago, so yes my work has paid off. My humility comes when I can’t cut my own food, or when a bladder accident occurs even when there is no one around. I can be extremely conspicuous in a crowd of people due to being in a wheelchair and needing help with just about everything.

All of these things cause emotional trauma to me, the positive and the negative. MS has been with me for more than 20 years and you would think that after that long I would be able to let things slide. But I am human and things change everyday, so I try to be a bit more accepting of the roller coaster I am on that may never completely stop.