Christmas Is the Season of Family, Love, and Harmony

I know, normally we associate love with February because of Valentine’s Day and all. I even wrote a column about love in February. But isn’t Christmas also a time of love? Love for our family, our loved ones, ourselves, and life in general.

Everything should slow down.

During Christmas, we take a break from our busy lives (well, after we’ve made preparations, found the perfect gift for everyone, and finished up all the projects we wanted to be done with before the year ends).

We take a deep breath, drawing in the fresh, cold winter air. We feel humble and thankful. We’re thankful for the people around us and for past accomplishments, particularly those that had seemed impossible.

Getting that tingly feeling.

Every year around this time, I get a warm and tingling feeling inside me. It’s a time to remember what is really important in life. For me, what has always made the season special are the people I love most.

The holidays are also a time to think about people who were once important to you. People you maybe “lost” along the way, or drifted apart from. People who live far away. And people you’re in love with, but there were certain reasons it didn’t work out.

Finding love in the form of a partner is not easy for me. I often wonder why. Am I different because I live with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa? Does it make me more scared or more careful? Do I love differently? Are people afraid to fall in love with me, or am I just too picky? I really wonder.

I believe.

Recently, I met a person who led me to believe that I am not different and that it is not hard to be in a relationship with me. My condition does not make it harder in any way. That person touched me differently. They let me feel strong, beautiful, and loved.

I am thankful.

So, this Christmastime, I will take a break again. I will breathe in the cold, fresh, winter air and feel that warm, tingly feeling start to heat up inside me. I will be thankful that I am healthy and strong. I will be thankful for the lovely people in my life and the amazing people I’ve met along the way, like I was last year. I will be thankful for everything I was able to experience and learn this year. And I learned a lot.

It’s like I met a very cool, interesting, strong, and intelligent person, and that person is me. And for that, I am very grateful.

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Note: Epidermolysis Bullosa Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Epidermolysis Bullosa Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to epidermolysis bullosa.