I live with Celiac Disease. It can lay me
out for gut-twisting, dizzy-spinning,
cryin’-tired, bone-aching, sick-like-dying,
insomniac nights and days if I consume
even the smallest particle of gluten. I am
vigilant, but gluten is ubiquitous and
sometimes sneaks in, assaulting my
digestive tract, wreaking pain and
autoimmune chaos. This is Day 3–or is it
5 or 15?—of my most recent bout. There is
nothing I can do but hug a heating pad,
ease the burn of hunger with a little bit
of something bland, stay by the bathroom,
sleep when I can. And wait. This morning,
after rice breakfast, I went to my bed to
nest, moaning a little, bemoaning my lot.
In mid-writhe I was suddenly distracted
by the view out my window. My whole
being followed my eyes out into that
voluptuous vista of mountains, sky, trees,
grass, clouds, colors and light. I thought,
I’m never in my bed at this time in the
morning. I never see what I’m seeing now.
I had to laugh, sighing back into the
pillows, shaking my head. Thank you,
gluten affliction, for giving me this
moment of happiness, feeling blessed.
Ann Keiffer
October, 2016
Image Credit: Ann Keiffer
