funwey
04-17-2008, 09:31 PM
Not exactly how you'd think I would start a thread, right?
That's what I thought, too. But just before Christmas, I was struck by a car and injured badly. I spent 6 days in the hospital and was released on Christmas eve. I got to spend the next few days under the care and with the love and support of my older daughter and her family.
As I begin my recovery process, I'm reminded of what one of my doctors said in the hospital: he told me that the "unplanned valleys" in his life were often the most creative and productive times. So, as I've shared that expression with some of my friends, I've considered how I can make this unplanned valley both creative and productive.
The problem with that, of course, is getting myself into the right mind-set. It's been very discouraging to accept my complete loss of independence. And it's extremely difficult for me to ask for help. I wailed to my daughter just the other night "It's bad enough I've got a broken body, but now I'm broken emotionally, too!"
I find myself in tears most days; just the exertion of getting to appointments tires me so much that I'm shaking with exhaustion. And
I wrestle with the feeling that not talking about that is unhealthy,
but talking about it puts an extra burden on my daughter who is already doing so much for me.
So where does the FuN part come in?
I wanted to share this blog with all of you, because there are times
in our lives that just aren't FUN.
And it's OK to recognize those times. I'm a big proponent of the need to have some joy in our lives EVERY DAY. But when it's more work to do that than your body can summon the energy to create, see that for what it is. And don't beat yourself up.
When my body is less sore, when I can walk again, when I can sit comfortably for more than 10 minutes, and when I can once again go out of the house without being terrified, then I'll start creating joy and fun. In the meantime, I think I'll rent
an old Lucille Ball or Carol Burnett show and let laughter start to heal me.
That's what I thought, too. But just before Christmas, I was struck by a car and injured badly. I spent 6 days in the hospital and was released on Christmas eve. I got to spend the next few days under the care and with the love and support of my older daughter and her family.
As I begin my recovery process, I'm reminded of what one of my doctors said in the hospital: he told me that the "unplanned valleys" in his life were often the most creative and productive times. So, as I've shared that expression with some of my friends, I've considered how I can make this unplanned valley both creative and productive.
The problem with that, of course, is getting myself into the right mind-set. It's been very discouraging to accept my complete loss of independence. And it's extremely difficult for me to ask for help. I wailed to my daughter just the other night "It's bad enough I've got a broken body, but now I'm broken emotionally, too!"
I find myself in tears most days; just the exertion of getting to appointments tires me so much that I'm shaking with exhaustion. And
I wrestle with the feeling that not talking about that is unhealthy,
but talking about it puts an extra burden on my daughter who is already doing so much for me.
So where does the FuN part come in?
I wanted to share this blog with all of you, because there are times
in our lives that just aren't FUN.
And it's OK to recognize those times. I'm a big proponent of the need to have some joy in our lives EVERY DAY. But when it's more work to do that than your body can summon the energy to create, see that for what it is. And don't beat yourself up.
When my body is less sore, when I can walk again, when I can sit comfortably for more than 10 minutes, and when I can once again go out of the house without being terrified, then I'll start creating joy and fun. In the meantime, I think I'll rent
an old Lucille Ball or Carol Burnett show and let laughter start to heal me.