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!
The Tear Stealer 