Love Within

Love Within

There were several who wanted to. But I sent them all away.
I couldn't do it. Even before I was diagnosed, I knew there was something wrong with me. Based on what I had seen of my mother’s illness — and what it did to me and our family — I just couldn't do that to anyone I loved.

It was different for her. She didn’t know—not before she got married, at least. So for her, marriage and children didn’t pose a problem.

But for me, it was more complicated. I could barely take care of myself, let alone a family.
Then there was the risk — the risk that I could pass it on.

So, I told them all no.

The sad thing is, it’s different now than it was for my mother.
There are medications that make it possible to manage this chronic disorder — medications that weren’t available to her.

With each of them, I learned and deepened my sense of compassion and empathy that I doubt I would have known otherwise. So, though physically absent, they have never left, for I carry their love and light within my heart as a guiding beacon in the dark.