Absurdville is a collection of essays about my family’s experience with chronic illness, devotion and the shockingly unexpected.

When my wife was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2007 at age 37, we knew our life had suddenly detoured. On this unpredictable new life path, Melissa would encounter excruciating pain, weakness, imbalance, fatigue, uncertainty, guilt, fear and hopelessness. These new companions on life’s journey, these uninvited guests, would challenge our simplest daily assumptions.

With our two boys (Max 10yo and Luca 5yo at the time of diagnosis), we would learn, adapt, and repeat—together. Although heartbroken to see our idyllic lifestyle slip away, we set out to find a “new normal” where life with MS was not only manageable but still filled with quality and grace.

If only it were that simple. Before long we found ourselves stuck on the roundabout—dizzied and nauseated—at the center of Absurdville, our new state of mind.

We know we’re not the only family to face adversity, pain and despair. That’s one irony of Absurdville, it’s packed with countless people who feel desperately alone.

WELCOME TO ABSURDVILLE
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Copyright © 2020. Russ Stark. All Rights Reserved.