What ls Normal?

I used to think about what the word "normal" really meant and who really defined "normal."  What puzzled me...was the people who defined what "normal" is....Where they normal?  When used as a noun, the word normal means "the usual, average, or typical state or condition."  The reason I bring this up is that for those of us who are suffering from debilitating illness or chronic illness, we have to re-define what our new normal or ...our new usual is. Normal for me seven years ago meant working full time, chasing after my then 12 year old daughter, cooking dinner every night, grocery shopping, going out on the town on Friday nights, etc. 

Normal today, is very different.  Normal today is trying to keep up working very part time and having the energy to make it through Thursday.  Normal is never (well hardly never) having a home cooked meal during the week because my new "normal" is too tired to cook!  Normal is watching a lot of TV because it's across from this old couch that I seem to spend a lot of time on.  AND..."normal" is only dreaming about the things I used to do and hoping to be able to do them again.

The amazing thing is that when the word "normal" is used as an adjective it means "conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected," and there is nothing "normal" or usual or typical about what I am about to go through!!!  I guess what I am trying to say is that being "normal" does not challenge us or make us better or strengthen us so being "normal" is not what we want to strive for and it certainly is not where I have been nor where I am heading.

To sum it all up, because I am not normal so to speak I have been given this unbelievable challenge that is in turn strengthening me each and every day.  I no longer strive to be "normal" but I strive to be better. I strive to hang on to my faith, ride the wave, and come out a better person because of my challenges.

This may sound confusing to some, but to me...I now know who defines my "normal."  ME!  and I am nothing at all normal.  God has given me this special journey that will take me beyond anything I could ever have imagined.  Am I a little scared?  You bet!  But I am up for the challenge and with God for me>>> Who can be against me!