Juvenile Arthritis - Choosing Joy!

Winter months are difficult for Savannah.  The cold days and change in barometric pressure seemed to wreak havoc on Savannah’s joint pain.  At age 16, Savannah has now lived with a diagnosed condition (Spondyloarthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis) for eight years...though the pain started soon after her birth....we just did not know why she could not sleep soundly.
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Savannah has never slept completely through the night...ever. I kept waiting for my newborn Savannah to sleep through the night...3 months passed, then 6 months...1 year, 2 years, now 16 years have passed, and Savannah is yet to sleep through the night without awakening several times. I did not understand why Savannah never slept through a night until her diagnosis.  You see, her joint pain awakens her as her joints stiffen after staying still for too long....this includes lying in bed.
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Older people with arthritis might understand this pain that I am describing...as Savannah’s 44 year old mother, I do not know this pain, and I sleep fairly well each night....always have.
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Truth: I slept with Savannah for years trying to help her manage... getting heating pads, ibuprofen, rubbing her joints, or whatever else she might have needed to manage the pain.  When she got to her teen years, she slept on her own, and managed on her own. -Accept, two nights ago, she asked if I would stay by her side...the pain was worse than usual.  Throughout the night, Savannah flailed, got up numerous times to stretch, take Advil, or change positions in the bed...all trying to relieve the pain in her body.
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I realized the pain was still so real, so present, and began to cry.
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Then, Savannah reached over and told me not to cry, she reminded me she was use to the pain and not sleeping well...that this was her “normal.”  She also reminded me that if one chooses to be thankful and serve others, it is hard to feel sorry for yourself and feel sad. So, this is what Savannah does...she shares joy, chooses to look for blessings around her, serves others...and the pain is no longer the victor.
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Thank you, Savannah, for reminding me to choose joy in this life!  Savannah prays you will look for the many blessings in your life, no matter your challenges...
and to always look for the joy around you.