As you know I've got a bad back (stenosis) my age and surgery are not a good match for any kind of "cure" which is a 50/50 proposition at best. It all started with a bad (very stupid) fall on thick ice. Right on the cocyx and skull and another ambulance trip as, bingo, concussion. Evidently I was hilarious in my nonsense spouting but no record exists, unfortunately.
Today I twisted my already unhappy back so that I am now walking around in a U-shape. I attended a meeting I couldn't miss today looking enfeebled (great word) which was interesting in the others' treatment of me - as if I was a half-wit. Which brings home what most disabled feel when they are ALWAYS treated like imbeciles, as if deafness, blindness or a wheelchair can make your IQ drop 100 points. Most disturbing. And humbling what we take for granted being upright.
I took a few photos around my apartment to make me feel a little better. The small things in life, I tell ya, are all that really matter.
First this was a bud yesterday:
And then today it was this:
And a surprise second blooming from this:
The joys these wee babies give me know no bounds.
What are your "small things?"
Small things? Sunshine through the clouds, bees on blossoms, piping hot coffee, fresh off the tree fruits, books, music, family.
ReplyDeleteAll of these, me too River!
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What a stunning flower. My small thing: First ripe tomatoes in my greenhouse.
ReplyDeleteAnd I know the impaired = stupid from my father in law, highly intelligent, but bad legs, and ears, making health persons treat him like he was stupid.
Nothing like those fresh home-grown tomatoes, Charlotte. I was grateful to get an insight into the treatment of the physically impaired. I will be more mindful myself in the future.
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I hate being patronised by young people about tech matters. The latest was by a public transport operator who was being vague in a response to my query. Yes, thanks for your response but I can see that on your website, plus three apps and I've been using trams for forty plus years. I kind of know how things work. Just because my voice or writing style is older, I am not a dottery old fool, yet. It will only get worse as I get older, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteOdd that you say that, Andrew, as the other day a counsellor said to me: "I can email, oh sorry, would you like me to post the information to you?"
DeleteAnd I looked at her and gently said: "I am proficient in modern technology, so email me please."
I really wanted to add: "Probably more proficient than you as a matter of fact" but restrained myself.
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I’m always taking pictures around my house of my plants, birds, my squirrels and now I have cows right behind me. Those are my small things plus morning coffee, getting together with friends and a peaceful home. I’m sorry about your back. Hope you get some relief. Mary
ReplyDeleteA lovely way to make us notice the small wee gifts we can miss as we tackle our lives, Mary. Thanks for your good wishes.
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Your description of how you are being treated by others is interesting. Disturbing, but also interesting, to me.
ReplyDeleteI am around a lot of people with disabilities, many age-related, and I find myself trying to carry on a normal conversation about things other than their issue. Yet, the person who is suffering will want to talk nonstop about what is going on with their ailment, their treatment, their inability to do anything.
One woman, who I try to not engage, even pulls up pictures on her phone of various X-rays showing what is going on in her body. I just want to converse about various events and possibilities of future events and how and why to be involved. The fun stuff of life. I don't consider these people tottering old fools until they start to act like it. Then I get annoyed and try to move on.
Considering my twisted back was temporary and these people knew me it was quite a shock. As if my crippled appearance had me descending rapidly into dementia.
DeleteInterestingly I've been trapped with people who want to show me 100 photos of the grandchildren on their phones. Grandchildren I don't know. That to me is torture of the worst kind as I can't come up with anything to say apart from "lovely" or "you must be proud" but I also want to add "get a life of your own." Maybe I'm too harsh? But I swear I've never shown a pic of my granddaughter to anyone, not to mention 250 of them.
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I've shown a few grandkid pics, but usually only to people who know them or their mother from earlier times. And never more than one or two photos.
DeleteI do, though, tell stories about the grandchildren because they are doing fabulous things of which I am very proud. Same with my daughter and son-in-law as they, too, are amazing people.
Well today I stepped outside with my morning mug of coffee, and two chickadees landed on the trellis right beside me. Two small but moving delights, like gifts I don't deserve, making me feel blessed anyway.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot going on, for you, for me, for the world. All we can do is face these things with courage. Where do we get more of THAT? Do tell.
I pronounce courage in the French way which always seems more inspiring as if I will sing the Marseilles and march happily down the Champs fighting for freedom.
DeletePain is the worst sucker of spirit I find. It tends to dominate all actions and dreams.
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I have a terrible back; arthritis. Sometimes I will aggravate it, and I will think I'm going to die. Then, after a few days, it's fine again. I have such admiration for people w/chronic pain. I don't know how they do it, and not be bitter and short-tempered (as I am when I'm having back trouble).
ReplyDeleteMy "small things" are dancing w/my dogs in the kitchen to the radio and reading. My pets and my dogs are my lifeline.
I wish I could have a dog again Elle. Not allowed in my building. I love your small things. My back screams out of the blue and takes me down. And then the "ugly normal" - as a dear friend and I have it - resumes. I can't figure it out as I try and take it easy between bouts of activity. Just something I have to live with. BUT today was a good day in many ways.
DeleteI hope the same for you.
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Recently I was able to show my offspring that I can cope with modern tech.
ReplyDeleteAn Uber app has taken me to hospital and back every day this week.
I wouldn’t dream of asking them, they all work full time.
Not so my son-in-law’s mother, needing the same transport to hospital
“Oh you can take me can’t you? I don’t understand these apps”
I also feel grateful I was present at the dawn of computerization and worked in it consistently through all its transitions and embraced every single one. It makes us much more independent not least of which are friendships on the web.
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