You are not alone! #caring #hope #compassion

For the last week or so I have had a friend stay with us and she suffers from cold urticaria (basically hives) that causes skin irritation and gets very itchy when exposed to the cold.  I only just recently found out this condition so I read up on the prevention methods of it.  I knew she was coming into our winter and I did not want to see her scratch away.

Google is a great source for those who would like a basic knowledge of things so my fingers did the clicking away.  I read up on doctors forums etc and found that one basic fix was prevention. So my partner and I decided to hit the shops.  Another past time of mine so it was no big deal.  We searched for warm clothing, boots, gloves, hot water bottles anything that was out there for prevention we swiped our cards so as not to let them catch this dreaded condition.  Before she arrived we ask her to check her medications etc and sure enough she changed those and all started to correct itself.  She works in air conditioning that is set by her bosses to freeze an expression off a Cheshire Cat.  We asked her to rug up in there and to her amazement the itches subsided.

When she arrived here we handed her a  fluffy dressing gown, warm slippers and yes she resembled a purple Eskimo but no scratching.  We cranked up the central heating and I persuaded her (ok nagged) to follow through with our preventative measures.  Gay boys learned many years ago that covering up was the only prevention to stopping a formidable itch so to speak.  Apart from an occasional scratch, that was borne out of stubbornness not  to conform, and not to cover her load, she came to the conclusion that we were right.  Of course, I said and would proceed in my distribution of prevention.
This friend of mine is a great doer but never for herself.  In the past few years she has only started to get away from her comfort zone of home and work and has had quite a few trips to here.  Other than that, she does not venture anywhere.  Her husband went on a holiday to Europe but, alas he went with his family.  She stayed snug in her cocoon.  My partner and myself are heading for Europe at Christmas. We were hoping she would join us, and from that moment, the barriers came to the front of conversations. Oh its cold there she would say!  My response, "Buy warmer clothes'. They do have central heating you know. We got past that and then the truth started festering like irritations on her skin. This woman is scared to leave her comfort zone.

Yes, we discussed quite heatedly sometimes which is great for a person in her condition.  Stops hives before the cold even sets in.  This is a problem she wants to fix also but has never had anyone stop and help her before.  Everyone until me (oops) has let her fix their problems and forgotten hers.
This topic bears discussion.  Do we take time for others?  Do we look beyond our noses to see others need some nurturing no matter what the age?  Yes she is somewhere between 40 and death but doesn't she deserve some excitement of her own.  Doesn't she deserve to be the receiver and not the giver?

We all must learn to look around us.  There are people out there that need help.  People in our own families, friends, children.  Unless we offer help, these people will never leave that cocoon.  Yes, some people want to live like Greta Garbo and 'want to be alone'  but some have no choice because no one has taken the time to inquire.  With some people it might take a little time to set them free, but surely everyone is entitled to a little gentle push, a caring hand.  Or you may like to borrow my little gay nagging outfit.  Either way, try the rewards can be a win, win.

These are my thoughts on the matter, drop us a line and give us your thoughts.  I enjoy the debate.  All those who do email us know that this world is a far better place together than being separated and it scratches your itch too.

Let your friends and family know 'You are not alone'

Cheers!

Bitchescoz

Contact: luke65mcbride@gmail.com