Invisible dis/ability.

Today, I am reminded that my mom is living with thyroid cancer. The thought shocked me because Mom's health condition has effectively escaped to the periphery of who she is. A cancer patient has never become how she sees herself.

This prompts me to revisit 2 contemplations:

(1) It is easier to assume that everyone is healthy and "normal" because knowing their struggles pains us while confusing us with a more complex narrative of their personhood.

(2) The stories that we see in ourselves go on to be the light that others recognize in us. Let no dis/ability define our personhood. We are the "Deep I" that is unwavering, quiet, and vitally alive.

To go against instincts for conscious compassion, treat others with the mindfulness of invisible disability while sees in ourselves the invisible ability.