Living in chronic pain is so incredibly hard especially when no one around you understands what you’re going through. After all, no one else can feel your pain except you. I’ve been suffering from multiple diseases since I was 14 years old; I’m almost 62. I’ve run the gamut of despair and years ago contemplated ending my life, been through years of therapy, numerous treatments and medications, insensitive doctors, and unresponsive insurance companies. I’m not going to list all my conditions; unfortunately the list keeps growing. One day, four years ago, I started to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking her to give me the strength to bear the pain. My faith has increased and I returned to the Church. I’m resigned to my fate because the truth is this: I’m going to die. I keep doing my best to be as healthy as I can, keep seeking treatments and the best specialists I can find, keep learning about my conditions (because you have to be your own medical expert), enjoy the beauty of nature, and give as much love as I can to my family and others. I pray and live my Catholic faith and I’m at peace.