Velveteen Rabbit, How I Became Real

My New York sister, gifted me The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, when I was ten years old. I liked the story and the book. As a visual person, I loved the illustrations and would trace the rabbit until I was able to draw it freehand. The rabbit did hang in the art room of my elementary school, so thank you. I am sharing the inscription as it was the reason I saved it for so many years. I have lovingly shared the book with my own children.

"Please read this beautiful story with an open minded remember how wonderful I believe it to be, only then will you see to its meaning."

I am a believer that everything happens for a reason. I have been putting a different lens on my chronic illness. What my reality looks like. It is not what I see in social media, it is not the belief of my parents, it is not the ugliness that I occasionally flail at myself in private. This Lupies, is the real journey.

A Real life demands active participation. This could mean rejuvenating yourself for the day. A sense that I am using my time well. As with my pictures and words. I did not understand what it was to be real until my chronic illness. I could no longer ignore or pretend that things were the same. I am stubborn. It took Lupus, an incurable disease to take notice....damn, did I have to take notice! I am not the same post-Lupus. No one could be. This is my journey and yes, I am enough because my life matters.

Lupies, explore this classic: “The Velveteen Rabbit (or How Toys Become Real)." By Margery Williams. Illustrated by Michael Green. The book was first published in 1922.