I’m being asked regularly how I am, ‘How are you, really?’  And I answer truthfully, ‘It’s coming’, because it is.  My back is coming on well.  Movement is returning gradually, and the more I keep myself moving the better it gets.  It seems to object when I decide to lie down and rest during the day, but at night it recognises the need for rest, and lets me be.

My breathing technique is improving and when my body reacts with the odd spasm or pain when moving a certain way I remember to breathe, and respond positively, rather than clamping up and thinking, ‘Here it goes again!’ Each little step forward is a triumph, and even though it doesn’t look like much to observers, it is huge for me.

I have been thoroughly enjoying my swimming pool.  It is the most relaxing place to be, especially at sunset.  I wonder if I would really be using it this much if I did not have a muscular issue.  It does help that the weather has been so hot that the pool is warm and inviting.  I am hopeful I will still have this enthusiasm for swimming when it comes to the ‘winter’ months and the water temperature decreases dramatically!

I took my little godson to the school fair last Saturday.  I resolved before I went that I would let him do whatever he wanted and not control his afternoon.  He chose to go on no rides or jumping tents, but got lots of lucky dips, bought some old grubby toys, and played the few games over and over again – tic, tac, toe, throwing the ball through the holes, fishing for bottle caps … And he did well.

Bless all the volunteers and teachers who worked so hard in the intense heat to make it a huge success.   When nothing more could fit inside my 5 year old charge’s  backpack, and the weight was starting to tire him, he said, ‘Let’s go, Aunty Debbie, it is hot and my backpack is full’.  Perfect wisdom from a precious 5 year old!

He must have read yesterday’s blog and wants me to know that he is listening.

After a bad night’s sleep I went to Pilates in the morning and did a lot of stretching and practiced my breathing technique.  Something as simple as proper breathing can make a huge difference.  The tense way I have been moving around as self protection from pain can have the opposite intended effect.  I am now trying to be more ‘daring’ with my every day movements, and using the breathing .

Thank you, dear Father, for giving me the encouragement I need to keep going more positively, and for the ease I am feeling in my joints.  And thank you for reading my blog!

I have taken the second #write 31 days challenge, that is blog writing every day for 31 days in October! I will be sharing testimonies of God’s work in my life, answered prayers, stories of encouragement and whatever is put on my heart.  It is long overdue to share the goodness and faithfulness of God in my writing.

I hope you will enjoy this adventure with me.

The time has come to bare all.  No more smiling and pretending all is well.  Pain, especially back pain, is pain, and I want to begin logging it, the things I will be trying, exercise and the little things that frustrate me, things like mastering buckling shoes, getting off of a massage table … and the relief that I will have over the next 31 days.  Because relief will be found.  Or I will go mad!  And, unfortunately, many people have aches and pains so I should be in good company! Whether you will want to read about my pain is another matter, but let’s see.

I was going to write on a different series for this, my second #write 31 day challenge, but then I determined why not write on something that is occupying so much of me right now. The more I thought about it the more I resolved that this was it, take the bull by the horns, and get it out.  What do I have to lose?

So for the next 31 days in October I will be joining thousands of others in this challenge to write every day on my blog.  If you choose to follow my blog and you don’t see me one day, don’t panic, I may be having a bad back day, or that will be my excuse!  Thank you for reading!