Two challenges we face in our little household are chronic illnesses and a disability. My older son was born with a slightly defective upper esophageal sphincter. This causes extreme acid reflux. His biggest complaint is when G.I. doctors see him for the first time, and tell him he is too young to have the problem he was born with. He also suffers from anxiety.

I have my PBC diagnosis. The worst symptoms are fatigue and itchy skin. Both are worse in the heat of summer. I also, sometimes have to explain that no, I do not have eczema. What I have is excess bile salt in my blood (eeew) that causes my skin to itch. Thankfully, I am on medication that helps.

My youngest has ADHD. This sometimes affects basic functioning. We hold his hand when we cross any street or parking lot, because he doesn’t always remember to look at his surroundings. He needs reminders (two or more) to stay on task or take a new instruction.

Despite these things, we carry on, because while they are a part of us, they do not define us.

I am enjoying my freelance reporting this summer and did a little subbing in an extended school year program while James did camp. (Thank you to the Bethlehem Area School District for Fit for Life Camp and Hornet Camp).

While I find myself wishing I could write full time, I also realize that doing so would require not working from home. It’s a setting issue. Too many things need to get done at home, and I have to force myself to ignore those things to write. It is surprisingly stressful.

This evening, my ex picked up my youngest early, and I made myself use the extra time to write.

On a happier note, we went thrift store shopping the other day. My older son and I each brought a bag of items to donate. We found a Lane cedar chest for $5. If you don’t know what a Lane cedar chest is, it’s a blanket chest, lined with cedar wood. Even before my time, a cedar chest has been something passed down or given as a wedding gift. The local furniture store near the high school I graduated from gave graduating seniors little Lane jewelry boxes. That store is gone now, but I still have the jewelry box. And now I have the cedar chest.

It was good timing too, because the build-it-yourself wardrobe in my room collapsed, and the cedar chest now holds my sweaters and sweatshirts.

I wished I could have called my late mother to tell her I finally have a Lane chest. It’s funny how life moves in elliptical circles sometimes.