Today is Day 78 of the Art Apple A Day Retrospective – for information on the project click here.

Day Seventy Eight – December 17, 2010

Looking back 10 years ago today…

This is an interesting post to reflect on.

A.S. especially in the crisis years, does change a person. If drastically changed me and it was difficult for some people to understand especially 16 years ago as this story reflects. But here’s the good news…

I have reconnected with these friends on Facebook. I finally had the confidence to stand tall in my history and what I’ve gone through. I left them too without much word as to why. I still sting that they didn’t try to understand but life moves on and I’m hopefully going to see them soon. Perhaps we’ll all talk about it and perhaps we’ll let it go. We’re all in our 50’s now and with that comes an understanding that everyone has dealt with their share of adversity and challenges. Shortly after I reconnected with these friends last year I did an Apples For AS fundraiser for Walk AS One and three of these friends bought an apple!

Healing is good. I wish everyone healing in whatever form they need. It can take time. Sometimes years. But, healing is the natural progression of humans as long as you remain open to it. Please don’t misunderstand me when I discuss healing on these pages. I’m not talking about a cure, I’m simply talking about managing better in numerous ways. I now frame my life as – am always healing – instead of before where I believed that I was always getting worse. The shift in thinking is a powerful one and I promise you that if you make a commitment to a continued (sometimes years) effort, that your world will open up to possibilities.

And… I now wear my “misfit” label like a badge of honor, not something to divide me from people or experiences.

To see my original Day 78 post ~ Pop Goes The Apple ~ from 10 years ago click here or on the image above.

And the story will continue tomorrow…