When I first saw this cartoon
in the Slidell Sentry-News in July of 1997, I was
both amused and struck by the appropriateness of its message. We
have all heard that "no one promised you a rose garden" and
that "there is no free lunch" but this says it
so much better.
Every human being must pay some life
tolls but those of us with chronic diseases surely pay
what we often feel is more than our share. And it
would be easy to fall into a state of self-pity. When
I am down, I look at Frank and Ernest and grin to myself. I
feel better and regain my determination to meet the challenges
of my life's highway.
My tolls may be different than yours
but we are all here together striving to make the best
life we can. This cartoon helps me to keep my perspective
and press on, paying the tolls and making the best of things.
That's one reason I am part of the Scleroderma
Support Group, North Shore. From the group I not
only receive help that pays some of the tolls, but I give
support to others that helps pay their tolls and, oddly
enough, that is the best payment of all for me.
I hope you will join us and learn for
yourself that this "highway of life" is so much
more enjoyable when you have company — company like
the people in our group — company like Frank and Ernest
to make us laugh, and Bob Thaves, the creator of "Frank
and Ernest" who has given us permission to use his
cartoon strip in our newsletter. |
Scleroderma
patients and their family members/caregivers are invited
to these support groups. Meetings are free. You do
not have to be a member to attend.