faith

My Faith Journey With Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

After being given the most life-changing, devastating news I’d ever heard ā€” ā€œMr. De Marzo, you have textbook MS. As a matter of fact, you have PPMS [primary progressive multiple sclerosis].” ā€” the emotions and pictures that ran through my mind were vivid, horrific, angry, and upsetting, to say…

Feeling Overwhelmed? Wander Under the Stars

If you read my last column, you know that my Thanksgiving was eventful, to say the least. Well, it looks like Christmas is shaping up to be another banger. My father-in-law is back in the hospital, still trying to kick the infections that have knocked him flat recently. We…

A Time for Decision-making

One of my favorite moments in Arthur Millerā€™s ā€œDeath of a Salesmanā€ involves a stolen fountain pen. If youā€™ve not read ā€” or better yet, seen ā€” the play, I can’t recommend it enough. Itā€™s a story about making it big in business and losing yourself in the process.

I Am Beautifully Rare Despite SPMS

I have secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and I am rare. In honor of Rare Disease Day on Feb. 29, I honor myself. I honor you and anyone else with a rare disease. I have been asked if multiple sclerosis qualifies as a rare disease. It does if…

Loving Yourself in Sickness and Health

I am frequently commended for my demeanor. For my strength amid pain and adversity. For my optimism and happy disposition. For making the most of my circumstances. I love my steadfast faith. I love my fierce determination. I love my decision to combat pain and adversity with hope. I love…

Forget Me Knots

At work a couple of weeks ago, I met a man who works with Christians in the Middle East. He is training leaders who are taking on the challenge of leading small house churches in a nation that is openly hostile to the faith. I was simply amazed by…

How Dare You?

If you read my last column, youā€™re well aware that there has been some drama around Casa de Hughes over the last few weeks. I can now happily say that the situation has been resolved and weā€™re trying to get things back to a more normal, humane pace.

Choosing to Infuse Myself with Optimism

Living with an incurable, progressive disease can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Iā€™ve always been a girl who thrives on proof and assurances, and there seem to be little of either where MS is concerned. Itā€™s taken me quite a while to settle into the awkward instability that is ambiguity,…

How MS Helped Me Embrace Living in the Present

My multiple sclerosis (MS) brings fatigue, pain, and instability into my life, but surprisingly, it also makes me more aware of my life and surroundings. For me, that means being more aware in the present moment and focusing on the good in my life right now. Living in…

My MS and Faith of the Mustard Seed

I have written nine articles so far with shared ideas of what has helped me in this overwhelming battle with multiple sclerosis. My experiences and successes are shared in the hope that others will be helped as well. This 10thĀ article is about what comforts and sustains me the most…

Happy is the Woman

  And do you feel scared? I do, but I won’t stop and falter. And if we threw it all away, things can only get better ā€“ Howard Jones, ā€œThings Can Only Get Betterā€ Things Iā€™m good at include (but are not limited…