How did I get here?

Yesterday morning a friend asked me a simple question, "How did you get here?"

The here she is speaking of is a place of possibilities on many levels, with looming reality ever present.

As I shared, she insightfully expressed that she felt it was important for those around to greater understand where I have been, so they might help me move forward.

What became clear as I told her the story of the past year and a half, was her surprise at the evolution of my self image.

As I sit here and try to recreate what I was able to express to her verbally, I am filled with hesitation. Trying to express in the written word is now a challenge for me. The affects of the pernicious anemia on my whole life has been greater than I or those around me have understood.

Yesterday as I told of the journey, I was able to see how the puzzle pieces of my life have shifted and have created a new version of Florence. A version, I know that is stronger and more connected to God, myself and others.

I will continue to try to tell of where I am and how I am working to understand the affects and create anew from there.

Many people in my life right now are helping me to see this evolved version of myself is here, because I have been willing to do the hard work of facing the pain and moving through it with deep faith.