Wow! I'm not really sure how it got to be the end of July. I'll start catching you up on what has been happening here in my world.
Shortly after my last post, on a beautiful, clear, dry, warmish morning, I went for a quick 3 mile run and tore the meniscus in my left knee. I have been active my entire life and this was the first major injury I have ever had. In our house, we have had lots of practice being on the injured reserve and obviously, no one really likes it but I have to say, I am the least patient with it (anyone else think that being the MOM has anything to do with that?). I couldn't put weight on it for weeks yet the job and family responsibilities did not stop. Not being able to just get up and do whatever I wanted done, was a humbling and frustrating experience. Some things I couldn't easily do: carrying laundry to or from the basement laundry room, bringing food up from the freezer, taking things to or from my bedroom, cooking (remember one of my favorite things to do), loading and unloading the dishwasher, grocery shopping, passing out papers at school, carrying books, papers back and forth from my car, etc.
The entire experience was humbling and forced me to really take stock of all the things I am normally capable of doing. And that led me to spend time contemplating all the things I have been blessed to be able to do because of the typically strong, healthy body God has chosen to give me. I had lots of time to contemplate since I was absolutely exhausted at the end of the school day. I spent hours with my hugely swollen knee elevated and under a bag of ice being grateful for so many things I have been able to do. Basketball, track, softball, volleyball, I have done every sport I have ever wanted to try. I have walked or hiked or biked along beaches, forests, country highways, mountain ranges on two continents. Swimming at the Y, multiple great lakes, and a few oceans & seas. I was blessed to give birth to the three most amazing people I know.
Here are some things I learned these past 2 1/2 months while rehabing my knee: to be more patient (this is just not my strong point), to appreciate being able to unload the dishwasher, to appreciate going anywhere I want without hesitation, to be grateful I can walk to that very far parking space, to enjoy going grocery shopping alone, to be grateful for the ability to ride my bike or go for a walk. I learned not to take simple, everyday things for granted. I am an incredibly independent person but I realize now that I am that way because of the blessing of a healthy body.
Take a minute to contemplate some of the things you take for granted but that truly are blessings and try to appreciate each of them a little bit each day. Don't wait until you lose them even for the briefest time to be thankful for the gifts. Like the song says, "You don't know what you got til it's gone."
