LEARNING TO COPE AND GROWING IN HUMILITY: I
know that my back issues are relatively minor compared with what so many of you
have to endure. Many of you suffer
greater pain and have done so for many more years.
The last time that I had surgery (with the
exception of some oral surgery) was when I was six years old and had my tonsils
removed. I have been blessed with good
health and an active lifestyle. Up until
6 weeks ago, I rode my bike 5 or 6 times a week ranging from10 to 25 miles. I would kayak around the lake weekly. I cut the grass at the rectory and at my
cottage. The dog and I went for long
walks every Monday in the woods near my cottage. I loved to build things and do
home improvement projects. For the past
six weeks I have not been able to do any of these.
I have had to rely on the kindness of others
to cut my grass. Many have stepped
forward when I had to do something as simple as move a chair in church and did
the task. At times I resent my
limitations and am not always as gracious as I should be when someone steps
forward to help me. But I have begun to
learn to ask for help. I am learning to
be grateful when others come forward. I
have been thanking God for all those gifts that I used in the past. I have been thanking God for all those who
have stepped forward to help. I am
slowly learning to cope with my limitations and not “rage against the wind”
when I find that I cannot do something.
I hope that in the next couple of weeks I
will be able to get back to doing the things I love. The healing continues and I should be back to
almost where I was before. I am sure
that I will have to add exercises for my lower back to the ones I do now for my
neck.
St. Luke says that Jesus grew in wisdom, age
and grace. As I grow older I have to both accept the limitations that come with
aging and go forward with courage to celebrate the things I can do.
