There is a saying, when one door closes, another one opens. The trick is to be able to see the open door rather than focusing on the one that just closed.
Illnesses change us in a variety of ways. They change how we see the world, how we interact with others, and some times they change how we find joy.
As a young child, I loved to slip away with a book and get lost in an adventure. As I got older, I became interested in other things, things that left little time for reading. When I found that I had days filled with pain or limited mobility, I found I wasn't able to do the outings I enjoyed.
I was suddenly stuck, limited to the space of the house, most of my time spent on the couch to avoid feeling too sick. However, with a book, I could escape the couch and still go on adventures. When I couldn't hold a book, I could get lost in an audiobook or a documentary.
In a way, I revisited a once closed door when I found books again. And then I peeked through another open door one called art. I've never been good at drawing or painting, not even broad sweeping abstract pieces. However, I could and do grab a camera and capture nature.
The pictures aren't for anyone other than myself. They are a chance to touch nature and take time to breathe in something more than I am.