Life is like a sunny day at the beach!
How easily we get comfortable with our lives. I don’t know about anyone else but I am always running on high speed, it’s just the way I am. So two weeks ago, AFTER getting over the bike theft and losing my ipod while doing a three mile training walk, I was commissioned by the girls to run out and pick up some food for them. Our good friend Erica was hanging out at the house and they were all suddenly very hungry. I was snacking on the best clementine when I ran out the back door. As my foot hit the ramp all these memories came to me of the previous two years when I slipped on the black ice that always forms on that ramp! But I hardly got to think much longer than a second when BAMMMMMM down like a ton of bricks. For that one split second as I was going down, I thought………..Jeeze I hate to let this clementine go, but how will I land with this clementine in my hand……..and actually I really didn’t have much of a choice to hold onto it as I hit that ramp with a vengeance. After I looked around to be sure no one witnessed such a stupid clumsy act I took a minute and waited for the girls to come to my rescue, then another minute and then….OH what the heck they aren’t coming………..so I gathered myself up and stumbled back in the house to find out why no one came out. The noise was loud and my gasp was louder! As I walked through the door very disheveled the girls all sat there at the computer completely unimpressed. I guess they had faith that I would find my way back in!
Anyway……as always there is a lesson here. Although I spent the weekend icing and with my arm in a big bulky splint I can honestly say it pulled me back into a great realization. A humiliation if you will, for these times are so important to reflect on your life. Even for me, someone who lives with two girls who are constantly challenged with physical limitations! When my arm was in a temporary cast I couldn’t write, eat, grab a glass, cut my food or even blow my nose very easily. I was able to do these things but it was a challenge. I really believe that more of us should experience these temporary bouts of challenge. Not to say everyone should go out there and take a serious fall but maybe if we all tried to at least reflect on what it is like to live outside our perfect worlds once a week it would give us more insight to appreciate what each of us has. And have patience and understanding for those who are not so lucky. I know this experience taught me to appreciate how easily simple tasks are for me.
SUNBURN!
sam's sixth ice cream cone!
one of the more tender moments of the trip!
We are now in sunny Florida! Thanks to some of our loving relatives and great friends we headed down to warm and ice free weather so the girls could move about and enjoy some outdoor freedom. It has been just so great! We have been relaxing and really not doing anything specific. Just enjoying life with good friends and appreciating the fact that we are here. I had hoped to get in some serious bike riding but the old hand isn’t quite up to it yet. That hasn’t kept me off the stationary bike however and I am working my way up to two hours a day on the stationary bike while keeping my balance with a bad bulky hand!
Quick update on the bike theft! The police feel it’s a done deal; we will probably never see that bike again. However, the rescue efforts from so many have been overwhelming and Jack and Laura have forgiven me (not that they were mad to begin with). It is overwhelming to find how many wonderful friends and kind and caring people I have in my life…..I am blessed for sure! I have a bike from Lauren’s son (he’s grown out of it!) and when I get back it will be tuned up and ready for riding. Don’t worry! It is presently inside my house-out of harms way. My kind and generous friend and dedicated scientist Rob has sent me a bike lock which I will use to lock the bike at night to my ankle! Thank you one and all for your kind offerings and constant encouragement which helps me to look at life though my rose colored glasses!
Stay warm and remember kindness keeps your heart open!
With Love and Peace Always
peace out!
Mary
7:57 am on January 16th, 2009
Mary, sometimes God gives me a little lesson also and gives me a small taste of disability…like how my knees sometimes hurt when I walk up the stairs in the morning. Every step can send shooting pains. The difference is I can take a pill and feel better, the pain goes away. FA doesn’t go away. Our kids are such valiant heroes of life. I am so honored to know them all…
6:37 am on January 29th, 2009
Wish we were in Florida for a month but one week was a bit of heaven.
Thanks for the great company, you guys are the best. Jack, Sam’s and Alex’s humor made the trip! (you too Erika) Hope your wrist gets time to heal now that the girls are back at Southern.
Peace out, me