Tag Archives: writing

Learning to Navigate My World One Foot at a Time

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One week ago I had surgery on my left heel. I am non-weight bearing for three more weeks. I have a good friends and a knee scooter to aid me in moving around on one leg.

I am learning that as I age events like surgery, are more difficult than when I was younger. What the heck, my good leg is complaining about the increased usage. My right hip is asking me what is going on. And my right foot is developing plantar fasciitis. Arrrgh!!!

Then my shoulders speak up and complain that they are sore. I am trying to use good body mechanics. It is not always easy to do when I are temporarily minus a leg.

What are the good parts of this healing journey?

  • I am staying with a friend, Drew in his beautiful home on a canyon. It is a very healing environment. It has a pool in the backyard and a gazebo that overlooks a canyon.
  • I have met some of the local Song Sparrows. Yes, those Birdy Boys keep showing up. I have also seen Crows, hawks, and Humming Birds
  • Drew has been kind giving me access to his home. When he is home he cooks for me. Usually we enjoy a meal a day together. Boy that is something I am not used to.
  • I have discovered more about my Health Care Plan. Did you know that Kaiser offers free ride service to doctors appointments? Well I sure did not know that. I do now.
  • My sisters have been good about calling and checking in. It helps me not feel too alone.
  • I am being forced to sit still. Something else I am not used to.
  • I love my audio-books from the library. I can sit in the back of the house and enjoy the beauty of nature and listen to great stories.
  • And…there are birds in the canyon. I now move around the house with my binoculars and camera. Yesterday I saw a hawk with a giant snake it it’s talons.
  • It is OK to take a nap.
  • When my friend, Phyllis drives me to my appointments I take her out to lunch. We are finding some unique places to eat. Today they even sat us in the private dining room as there was limited access to the restaurant. We were treated royally.
  • During this Healing Holiday i am planning a trip to Turkey and Croatia. It is good to have dreams.

Next Monday I have my first follow-up with my surgeon. The leg will be unwrapped and hopefully I will progress to a boot. Still no weight bearing for 2 more weeks. Sigh. January and February are going by slooooowwwwwly.

As a whole everything is going well. I have not sat this still in a long time. It is good to know it is doable. I am learning how to entertain myself in a whole new way.

Today I am thankful for my Healing World. I have quite the support team, friends, doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturist, myofascial release therapists.

Today I am Thankful.

Letters of a Relationship (#1)

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UnknownLast week I was once again purging my house. This is an event that started with Jim’s death and continues periodically ever since.

With this purge I found a box containing every card or letter I had ever sent to Jim, over the 22 years that I knew him. It also contained Christmas and  Birthday cards from members of his family and my sister, Ginny. I sat and read every single one of them. I enjoyed reading them and following our courtship through the ensuing years. It made me feel good.

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cards

These letters and cards also held some surprises for me. I would like to share a few of these with you.

  • I can write. I know you might be surprised to hear me say this, being that I have been blogging for 2 1/2 years. I really never thought of myself as a writer. I have always considered myself as more of a story teller.
  • I wrote my own poetry to Jim. Some of the poems were not too bad and some were corny and amateurish. They were heart felt.
  • Our relationship progressed fast. As I read, I realized how quickly we knew that we were ready to commit for the long run.
  • Both of us were emotionally and intellectually honest one hundred percent of the time.
  • I was willing to bare my soul to him. I did not seem to have any fear of not being accepted for who I am.
  • I can be a mush and a romantic. This is not how I would describe myself to anyone, ever, in my whole life.
  • Some of the cards were funny and punny. We shared a similar sense of humor. That certainly came out in the cards. My humor developed over the course of our relationship and even if it is off color, I exhibit that humor more often now than I ever have before.
  • Jim brought out a playfulness and joy in me. When I feel safe and loved this trait is released into the world more.

Now I have discarded the letters and cards, except for a handful. Why?  I don’t need the physical cards to remember the specialness of the relationship. Every time I speak of him and our relationship, I am expressing the depth of caring and fun we had together. Who I am today is a direct result of being in such a fine relationship for 22 years. And…I am purging.

I also have a box of letters and cards that Jim sent to me. As of right now I have not sat and read all of them. I will hold on to them for a while, yet. These hold a different significance. It helps me to remember what a special person Jim was and how significant and good our relationship was. It also reminds me of how valued and treasured I was by this very good man. When I am feeling sad or a bit down it is good to have a visual reminder of how much I am loved and cared for.

I love the feeling of purging. Everything including myself and the house feels so much lighter. It feels right to do this. I have a long way to go before I can release emotional attachment to my belongings. Each time I purge though, I feel I get a little closer to this goal in my life.

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El Cat

Never fear, I will not purge Elsie the cat. She and I are in for the long haul.