Higher Tea: A Sip of Inspiration

“A good memory is one that can remember the day’s blessings and forget the day’s troubles.” –Anonomous

We take many things for granted. One is our ability to move around. Unless we are unable to walk around and reach for things, we never realize how fortunate we are.

During the last year of his life, my father was extremely limited. He had been paralyzed on the left side for twenty years, and another stroke left him without sight and short-term memory. He was also totally dependent and incontinent. It was extremely difficult to see a man who was so vital and creative reduced to this debilitated state of being.

I cannot imagine what he experienced, but I spent many wonderful hours with him and learned so much. From him I discovered the hidden blessings of his condition.

• Since he lost his short term memory, Dad learned how to live in the moment, how to be present.       
• Since he could no longer see, he learned how to listen and the value of silence.
• Without the capacity to move on his own accord, Dad discovered the gift of stillness.
•  As he surrendered everything that he was and did on this earthly plane to God, he was able to express his true loving essence. He learned to fly with blind faith and grace.

 I am currently dealing with my own mobility issues. My father died on Thanksgiving Day and I spent the next day with my mother and sisters making arrangements. When we stopped for lunch, I fell on my way to the café and twisted my left ankle. Later, I went to the local ER for an x-ray and was told that it was sprained. I was given crutches, an air brace and an ACE.

For the next couple weeks, I kept off my foot, but when it felt better, I began walking without support, believing the sprain was healing. As long as I did not turn my foot from side to side or extend my toes, it felt OK. But there was a nagging ache and I was concerned enough to seek another opinion.

Six weeks later, a second series of x-rays revealed that I had indeed broken a bone in my lower leg. Now I am in a boot and off the foot. I am angry that the fracture was missed and fear that I sustained additional damage because of the misdiagnosis. However, I am content to limit my activity for the moment. I am working diligently to complete a project and am spending many hours on my computer. I am not tempted to jump up from my chair and golf or shop or walk or do other things.

The blessing from this time of limited mobility is the opportunity to focus and to be more productive. For that I am truly grateful.