Wisdom in the Palm of Her Hands

I stopped by the pharmacy yesterday to discuss my estrogen (or lack thereof) with the staff.  My bottled hormones would not be ready for another day, the pharmacist told me.  I was purchasing another prescription and started chatting with the sales clerk around whose head the pharmacist and I had chatted.  As I handed my money to the young blond, I remarked, "I had my ovaries and everything yanked out in December, so menopause hit me all at once at age 45."

The girl rang up my sale, replying, "I've just been diagnosed with R.A. at age 18."

I stopped fumbling with my wallet and made eye contact with her as she proceeded to tell me how it took a while to figure out what was wrong.  The beautiful, young woman with honey-colored hair held up two hands that looked like they belonged on someone else.  Her hands were red, swollen, and slightly misshapened.  I imagine they will be worse in years to come.

"I was about your age when I was diagnosed with endometriosis," I told her.  I felt compelled to share a life lesson with her, hoping that it might help somehow.  "If there is any silver lining in being diagnosed with a chronic illness at a young age, it is maturity," I offered.  "When your friends are still being silly and thinking they're immortal and taking their health for..."

"... granted," the sales girl finished my sentence. "I know," she said.  "I was never really into smoking or drinking or anything anyway. Now I know that I have to take care of myself."

"That's a blessing," I confirmed.  I could see it in her eyes that she was already aware.

As I returned to my car, I thought about her hands and prayed for her.  I wondered what challenges she will face in the years ahead.  Somehow, I myself felt blessed that I only had to fight with endometriosis and the aftermath of the war it raged on my girl parts.  After all, I didn't need ovaries or a uterus every day of my life.  As my child-free existence proves, I really didn't need them at all.

How does a person fight the battle with inflammation throughout her whole body?  I cannot even begin to imagine the strength that she will know and the maturity that will grow within her.  She will definitely leave her friends in the dust on this trip.