Ankylosing spondylitis wife, mom, and grandmom!

I'm warning you now--that this is a blog for those who truly want to "try" and understand about AS or those of you that HAVE AS. Do you ever wonder if it'd be easier to say...I have cancer than AS??? And I don't take that statement lightly. Just over a year ago I lost a dear cousin to cancer. She was my age..married, children. One of the sweetest ladies EVER! But, those of you who have AS...you know where this is coming from!! "People", for what ever reason, understand cancer. Maybe they don't understand it totally, but atleast they accept it and try. With ankylosing spondylitis, "people" just don't care! Let me quickly say, my family DOES care. But, I don't really think "people" care. I also think ok, if "it" were cancer, then I could go through the treatments and be done with it--whatever the outcome. Whoa...you say/think. Yea, I'd be done with it. It would be defeated one of 2 ways--and being a born again ...

So for this Mother's Day I was reminded how fun it is to just be with the family. Can I say that trying to get a family photo with Mom, 4 siblings, couple of spouses, and 4 grands..well...it can be very funny! All of us... When you're a mom, Mother's Day takes on a different meaning as well. You are sooo thankful and blessed. I know I am--I'm thankful for my girls and so proud of them. Our family went to church together and then out for lunch (yes, made that reservation, because us "moms" didn't want to cook or clean). Nanna with her grands.... Me and my siblings...I'm proud to say that I'm the oldest, then my sister, then our not so small younger brother and then the baby (who also has AS-he's beside me). I love them so much and I'm thankful they are "mine". This picture makes me want to cry, but at the same time be thankful. My brother Dan has an incredible story and I think I'll ask him to type it up and send to me! Summary...