Who is “Single, Sick, and Sassy”? She’s your neighbor, she’s you, she’s anyone who may have been blessed with a life-altering diagnosis in what you, thought, should have been the prime of your life and, for all intents and purposes, she’s me.

To look at me, in my natural environment, one might say “Oh, she’s fun! A little obsessed with her dogs, never stops bragging on her adult children…nice smile but talks too much.” I can accept that, but what is harder to accept are the things people can’t see.

Single, oh so perpetually single. Not by choice but I guess I just haven’t been blessed with the “right one” or so that’s what I’m told. Being 50 years old, yes 50, I do enjoy being able to live in non-judgement of my “home clothes” and talking to my dog and imagining her snarky responses but I secretly wish for that whole soul-mate vibe.

Sick, and I usually save this atleast for the 2nd conversation, because I was diagnosed with a rare, progressive lung condition that caused me to go into congestive heart failure at 45. I try not to let it define me (I think that’s what I’m supposed to say) but it can be the Captain of my Emotional Ocean if you know what I mean.

Sassy, well, because that’s me. I live by humor, much to my very accepting family’s and friends’ chagrin. I joke alot to mask the pain that we all feel sometimes and let’s face it, we all need a way to make ourselves feel safe in our own skin. That is probably one of the biggest reasons I am doing this, is to learn to feel safe with myself. Either that or have another venue to overshare pictures of my dogs and kids.

So again I say “hey there.” – insert sweet Southern accent here compliments of my beautiful Granny in Heaven – in honor of her. Her words “hey there” were the most comforting words because I knew I was welcome and loved and that’s the environment I want to create for anyone that needs it. I will talk alot about my kids, my dogs, and my illness…things you want to hear about and things you don’t but I will always be respectful with a little bit of Julia Sugarbaker –

Hugs!

Wendy