Life isn’t always easy, and choosing joy doesn’t mean pretending it is. Living with Multiple Sclerosis has taught me that gratitude and grief can exist side by side. In this post, I’m sharing what it means to embrace life’s beautiful moments without ignoring the hard ones—and why a warm bowl of Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup feels like the perfect reminder that comfort often comes in the simplest forms.
Tag: Resilience
When Managing Becomes a Full Time Job: Living with Chronic Illness Burnout
Living with a chronic illness can feel like working overtime without a day off. Between managing symptoms, appointments, and emotions, burnout is bound to happen. Here’s how I’ve learned to recognize it, cope with it, and remind myself that grace and gratitude matter just as much as grit. Because even when life gets heavy, there’s still room for grace, grit, and a little Jalapeño Jelly.
Cooking When Your Body Doesn’t Cooperate – Simple swaps, gentle shortcuts, and grace on flare days
Some days cooking feels like therapy. Other days, it feels impossible. In this honest reflection on life with MS, I share the simple shortcuts, kitchen systems, and grace that help me keep feeding the people I love—even when my body has other plans.
What MS Has Taken — and What It’s Unexpectedly Given Me
Living with MS has changed more than my body—it’s changed how I see my life. This is an honest look at what it’s taken, what it’s given, and how I’ve learned to hold both at the same time.
The Quiet Joy of Growing Things Again
One garden bed, one homemade meal, and one quiet evening at a time — alongside homemade pink lemonade and cozy French onion soup made for slowing down and staying awhile.
When My Halo Slipped (And What It Taught Me About Grace)
A real-life story about MS, a heated social media moment, and learning grace — plus an easy hot honey chicken recipe with the perfect sweet and spicy balance.
Seeing My Dad With New Eyes (And What Time Taught Me About Healing)
As another anniversary of my dad’s passing approaches, I find myself reflecting on how time, perspective, and even chronic illness have reshaped how I see our relationship. Healing doesn’t always happen quickly — but sometimes it arrives when we’re finally ready to receive it.
20 Years Living with MS: Lessons, Lemonade, and Learning to Slow Down
After 20 years with Multiple Sclerosis, I’m reflecting on the lessons, resilience, humour, and unexpected joy that chronic illness has brought — plus a little reminder that sometimes turning lemons into lemonade includes actual lemon loaf.
Hydrangeas, Hope & The Joy of a New-to-Us Garden
Moving into a new-to-us home turns every garden season into a bit of a treasure hunt. This spring, a quietly resilient hydrangea reminded me that blooming doesn’t have to be loud or perfect — sometimes it simply means showing up again. A gentle reflection on gardening, living with MS, and finding comfort in slow, steady growth… plus a simple lemon herb chicken recipe inspired by the season.
Things I’m Learning in This Season
In this season of life, I’m learning that slower doesn’t mean stuck — it means present. After years of raising kids, working full-time, traveling, and moving at full speed, I’m finding joy in being rooted, nesting into our new home, and savouring the small, everyday moments. This post is a reflection on choosing stillness, honouring change, and ending the day with a meal that feels just right.