Feeling Adventurous with MS

Jennifer (Jenn) Powell avatar

by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell |

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(Courtesy of Jennifer Powell)

Jennifer Silver Linings

I can describe myself with a myriad of words: kind, funny, smart, quirky, and stubborn, to name a few. So many words are descriptive of my persona; I almost felt safety among them.

Almost.

I have always preferred paved road to dirt; my place was to shine the already lain footprints. Or was it? Discovery comes when we leave our safe spaces for parts unknown. It was in these parts that I discovered I am adventurous.

My mother invited me on a 10-day Alaskan cruise to celebrate a milestone birthday. Any misgivings or preconceived fears diminished almost immediately. As we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge and out to open water, an adventurer was born.

I have an affinity with water. The seas soothe my soul. While I participated in excursions and onboard activities, it was outside that I came alive. A familiar flame I had allowed to extinguish suddenly reignited. My spirit shone brighter than the sunlight against the glaciers.

I craved more, and those 10 days did not disappoint. The joy I felt at simply being there heightened every experience. I had shown up not despite, but in spite of, my doubts and fears. Having multiple sclerosis did not hold me back. No, that was my doing. In allowing myself to risk I became hyper-appreciative for each and every encounter. I was living in technicolor.

The thing about color is that you can never go back to monochrome. Once you have witnessed the beauty, you want to keep your world enhanced. A beautiful life is a life lived, and that looks different for every individual. For me, living means leaving my comfort zone, taking risks, embracing the unknown, and allowing growth.

Nothing worth having comes easy, and those 10 days were not without trials. I fatigued easily, and experienced heightened pain and swelling along with a few sleepless nights. Nevertheless, I planned accordingly. I enjoyed quiet time in my stateroom as I knew fatigue would occur. I brought the appropriate modalities to help with the inevitable exacerbations of pain and insomnia. I reveled in my recently discovered passion for photography and thoroughly cherished the time with my mother.

I had fun. I discovered parts of myself I thought were dormant. Emotions exhibited at the beauty of the surrounding topography. Childlike squeals of excitement at the sight of whales breaching mere yards away. Shared fits of laughter as we wrung out clothes after being caught in an unexpected downpour.

Then there was an affirmation of what I already knew to be true. The comfort of having my mother look after me and the satisfaction of doing the same. Making sure she was safe and well taken care of and savoring each and every second of our shared time. I knew I would remember these moments for the rest of my life. Lying next to her at night, listening to her breathe while tears streamed down my cheeks. I thanked God for each moment, each experience, and the gift of sojourning alongside her.

In discovering Alaska, I discovered myself. In removing self-imposed boundaries, I relished in the infinite. In worrying I could not, I built confidence as I could.

And somewhere between San Francisco and Alaska, an adventurer was born.

***

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Comments

Barbara Hitchcock avatar

Barbara Hitchcock

Dearest Jennifer
What a beautiful and poignant article. You are an extremely talented writer. I cannot tell you how your article moved me. You are a true warrior Jennifer. I so love how you hold dear your beautiful Golden fur baby and now we can add your Mother to that list.
Love and hugs and God’s blessing wonderful Jennifer.
Barbara Hitchcock

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Jennifer (Jenn) Powell avatar

Jennifer (Jenn) Powell

Dear Barbara,

Thank you so much for your incredible kindness. I am extremely grateful to be surrounded by such beautiful family and and friends as it is only through them I find and maintain my footing.

Much love to you,
Jenn

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Erika Faber avatar

Erika Faber

Dear Jennifer,
Here, I always thought being adventurous with MS meant going in public or on longer car rides w/o wearing depends! But seriously, I felt alive reading your article. It reminded me of the 2 hr whale cruise I went on, in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, 8 summers ago, and that experience keeps me going until I can do it again, or be healthy enough to go on the Alaska cruise. Thank you for sharing.

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Joni avatar

Joni

Thank you for sharing your silver lining. An Alaskan cruise was my 1st adventure after the MS diagnosis 8 yrs ago. I wanted to get in as many trips before I would stop travelling because I thought as the MS progressed I wouldn't want to travel. Was I wrong! On good days, I see life as I was on that Alaskan cruise again. Euphoric and a truly wonderful adventure!

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