Woos me woos me, quit your whining and pick your self up by the bootstraps and do what you have to do. This thought has crossed my mind many times during my spinal cord journey, especially early on when I first received my spinal cord injury and I was feeling sorry for myself and my family. I have come a long way since then, and I don't remember the last time those thoughts of weakness crossed my mind.
My mother-in-law Fran, she is 80 years young. Fran had knee replacement surgery this past week and is recovering very well. I did a lot of praying and asking God to heal her knee quickly and precisely. Fran has a tremendous faith in God and is a very strong person, she is enduring the pain of post-surgery and we wish her a speedy recovery.
The week before last, I visited the podiatrist again and had another ingrown toenail cut out. This would be the third time in the last six months I have had this done to the same poor big toe. Three must be my lucky number and I'll tell you why. We ordered a wheelchair that would be adaptable for me to drive an auto and when the wheelchair arrived it was incorrect, again. That was the third wheelchair we ordered which was supposed to be adaptable for me to drive. Three strikes and you're out! Things definitely happen for a reason. After failing to get the correct chair, Lisa and I decided to start the process over again from the beginning, which meant meeting with my driver rehab instructor and having him reevaluate me to find out what is exactly necessary for me to drive. I met with Tim, the driving instructor to obtain the required prescription. He is a great guy and we get along extremely well. He asked me to demonstrate my ability to transfer from my wheelchair into the actual driver's seat of the automobile (van). I perform this task flawlessly. Tim was surprised and very impressed with my ability to perform this task. It was only six months earlier that Tim was evaluating me for the very same task and I could not do it proficiently, I struggled with it and it was very difficult. My inability to transfer from the wheelchair to the driver's seat is what initiated this entire wheelchair prescription I needed for me to drive in. Now that I can transfer from my wheelchair to the driver's seat it has created a whole new option for me while driving. There is a seat system available that would accommodate me to drive in a four-door pickup truck. The driver's seat extends down from the cab of the truck to the ground level, and I would transfer from my chair into the driver seat. The system has a hoist, which lifts my chair and places it in the truck bed with an electric cover to top it off. I would then be able operate from the actual driver's seat and it’s all orchestrated with a hand remote control. This is one slick and fantastic set up, and I hope it comes to fruition for me. This would give me a tremendous sense of normalcy and ease for driving in addition to not driving a full sized clunky van. Tim was saying to me over and over again how much stronger and improved my balance and strength has become since our last meeting. Sometimes it's very difficult for me to detect improvement but when Tim observed my actions he noted the drastic improvement I've made in a short period of time, yea for me.
Today is June 20 the day before Father's Day. Lisa and I have been wrestling with many different trials and difficulties lately. I prayed last night and this morning, deeply and with meaning so that God may guide me and Lisa down the correct path and that we can address these challenges that are ahead of us. I rolled up to the breakfast table this morning, while contemplating how to address all these issues. It was a rainy and overcast morning, the sky was quite ominous, and it looked as if it would rain and thunderstorm all-day. I stared at my bowl of cereal and medicine cup full of pills, all of it waiting to be consumed and none of it really looking that appetizing. I bowed my head while deep in thought, and as I picked up my head to glance out the window, there on the branch of a tree near by was Hunter. He had some type of pray in his talons while resting on a branch he was pecking away as he devoured his breakfast. Why does Hunter always show up just at the time when I am at the crossroads or some trial in my life that needs to be examined and addressed? Whatever the reason, it always makes me re-examine where I am and where I am going. I have not seen hunter for a couple of weeks, it was a welcome visit. I watched him tearing at his prey and feasting on his bounty for 10 to 15 minutes, and it gave me time to reflect and scarf my own breakfast and pills before he flew off. Today at lunchtime I sat with my family eating pizza and catching up on everyone's activities. I told my family about seeing Hunter this morning and sharing breakfast together. I reiterated that when I die, I would like to come back as a hawk soaring to the heavens and surveying all that lie below. No sooner did those words leave my mouth when suddenly Hunter flew up from the tall grasses and landed in a tree not far from the window I was looking out of. I jokingly said to my kids, that I would seek them out wherever may be in life and let them know I'm watching over them by pooping on their cars or on their heads if possible. They thought that was sooo funny. Funny as it may be I could not be more serious.
Of course it is very difficult to look up and be an optimist every day but this is my priority and a rule that I live by. I read a passage in my daily devotional today that was right on target, let me share it with you. Are you uncertain about which direction you should go? Take your question to God and receive guidance from either the light of His smile or the cloud of his refusal. You must get alone with Him, where the lights in the darkness of this world cannot interfere and where the opinions of others cannot reach you. You must also have the courage to wait in silent expectation, even when everyone around you is insisting on an immediate decision or action. If you will do these things, the will of God will become clear to you. And you will have a deeper concept of what He is, having more insight into His nature and his heart of love. All this will be your unsurpassed gift. It will be a heavenly experience, a precious eternal privilege, and the rich reward for the long hours of waiting. David. It was as if this passage was speaking to me, and it knew exactly what was transpiring in my life at this time, it even mentioned my name specifically.
HAPPY FATHERS DAY!
Courage-Fight-Win
