I sat around tonight with a friend and did writing exercises.
Here’s mine:
Was there an unexpected event that forced you into a crisis?
In February of 1988, I woke up one morning to the biggest crisis of my life.
I felt like I had a bad flu, so I stayed in bed for a couple of days as it rolled through me, and then on the third day, I felt a little better, and I went back to Sierra Community College where I was carrying 24 units.
I staggered around to my classes and then returned to bed in the afternoon.
The next day, I returned to school and then resumed my gardening work in the afternoon.
Over the next few days, however, not only did I not get better, I relapsed.
I went back to bed for a couple of days, regained some of my strength, and then returned to school and work.
I did not feel right.
To shake things out, I went for a three mile run one Sunday afternoon.
Near the end of my jog, my muscles turned to jelly. I walked home the last half-mile, showered and went to bed. Over the next couple of days, another relapse rolled over me.
I knew then that something was seriously wrong with me. I knew that physical exertion made me sick. I knew that I was living my life in a vice.
Twenty one years later, I still have not escaped the vice of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
The biggest crises of my life in order:
- CFS
- Death threats in the porn industry
- Shul ejections
- Poverty in 1996-1997, and again in 2008-2009 with no end in sight
- Online flame wars 1997-1999
- When my father was kicked out of the SDA church in 1980 and I had to start life anew in
- Losing my relationship (having her sleep with an ex while I still lived with her) in 1993 with T., the only person I knew well in
D. emails: Crises…of a bloody ponce! Listen good, Sunny Jim! The majority of these "crises" you list were brought on by your own ridiculous behavior. You’re not a victim or a martyr. You’re just a smarmy fraud who, one day, is going to receive the beating of his life from his dear old dad. Then you can add that to your bloody list. But not before I shove a burst cane toad down your hatch. You’re a fair-dinkum disappointment to your family.
Shira emails: Luke life hands us. Some are not fair at all. The trick is to turn them into life lessons and see what can you benefit from the experience. I know it’s not fun to have an illness. Mine is heart. In spite of 3 heart surgeries, I am determent to live a full life. The little game I play with fate: not too many people know and no one can tell. I pass myself as totally healthy. Why? Not enough that I am sick and take so many medications, I’ll also look it? No way! I have the last word. The biggest lesson that I have learned: don’t expect sympathy from people they will turn on you. Not fair, nor nice but true. Take care. you are great.
