Why I'm (usually) Thankful for my Disease

It was just about a year ago I found out I had Celiac disease. Basically, this means I can't eat anything with wheat flour (gluten) in it. What's left? Not much. Okay, so there really is a lot that I can eat, but it is hard. A lot of foods I grew up with I am no longer able to eat. It is hard to go out to eat and basically makes preparing and eating food much more of a process (and sometimes less delicious) than it used to be.

Yesterday, I was cleaning out our pantry. I saw a box of muffin mix. The raspberry Lehi Roller Mills mix. It made me a little sad. I bought it before I was diagnosed. It was my favorite muffin mix. So very delicious. It is a bit more expensive than a regular mix, so I had bought it as a special treat long ago. Undoubtedly, it contains wheat flour. There are so many wonderful things I can't eat anymore.

As I continued to clean out the pantry, I ran across an old bowl of peppermint candies. A light bulb went on. I used to have peppermint candies everywhere. This bowl used to sit on our kitchen table, I had several in my purse, in the jockey box of my car, etc. When my stomach would hurt, I would suck on the candies. Sometimes the peppermint would help ease my stomach a little bit. I carried them with me everywhere because I never knew when something I ate would make me sick.

Remembering the peppermints and the pain reminded me how not eating gluten is worth it. Being sick is now the exception, and not the rule. I remember I used to eat and then worry that I would be miserable for the next few hours. I remember trying to make good food choices, but still getting sick. I remember waking up in the middle of the night in pain and I didn't know why.

As you can imagine, I had a lot of anxiety worrying about if I was going to get sick. I wouldn't eat in fear of being sick, and then not eating would make me sick. It was a vicious cycle.

Learning about my condition broke that anxious cycle.

This is why I can say I am thankful. I am so grateful I know the diet I need. I'm so grateful that I rarely get sick anymore. It is so very worth it.

So, as I complain about my diet, remember that underneath, I am truly grateful.