I made my weekly trip to the mailbox to collect whatever bills might be inside. Of course, the white envelopes were medical bills from the three different hospitals I frequent. I had a blue bill for the water, a pink one for my condo fee and then there was a yellow envelope.

The postmark on the yellow one told me that it was from a couple, who are no blood relation to me. They are grandparents to my “stepson;” his mother’s parents. I used to spend time at their house. I’ve also attended his events with them over the years. But, lately, that hasn’t been the case.

Inside the envelope, there was a card that read, “thinking of you isn’t the only thing I do all day but it sure is the nicest.” Below the typed words was a handwritten note. The words and that small gesture made me feel special for the first time all day. During my eight and a half hours at work, I felt like a replaceable cog in the wheel.

I held the card and thought, I can’t remember the last time I wrote a letter to someone just to say hello, I miss you or I love you. I send text messages and emails every day or click the like or heart buttons on an online post. But, I rarely comment on posts, call or send a note to a family member or a friend. I don’t usually get them either. I’ve felt lonely and isolated. I need to change that because I want the people I care about to know it and to feel a connection to me.

#spoonie #autoimmunedisease #invisibleillness #chronicillness #chronicpain #igg4 #disability #2018 #loneliness #joythroughthepain