It was not love at first sight! Or second, but I needed some kind of attachment to get around because I was not doing too well on my own two feet! Let me retrench and explain a blunder of my feet. They were the ones who did not do too well.
Speaking of “well,” there are degrees of “well” and a whole lot of “unwell” degrees. My “unwell” happened at 4:00 am and it was a doozy. It was a dark and stormy night when my finely-tuned internal gyroscopically-balanced body unwittingly arrived on the floor. Kaput! An important bone that needed to be intact was unquestionably un-intact; darn thing was broken in two places leaving me in need of an attachment. My own two feet were not going to work until the darn bone got a lot better. (Truth be told——it was not a stormy night.)
Unfortunately this is a bone that Doctors unmitigatedly cannot fix. (No doubt you may be noticing the use of the prefix “un” a whole lot but my un-graceful fall that undeniably resulted in my un-positive diagnosis is an unhappy bummer. All because that big bone has to heal in two places all by itself. Sounds like some unnecessary justice for a poor little old lady. Therefore the prefix “un” is validly justified.)
In order to gain a bit of agility I need two new attachments. I have deep romantic feelings for one and like it immensely, the other, not so much. My favorite attachment is a four wheeled vehicle and if so inclined I could possibly learn to do wheelies. At this time, I am still bumping into walls, soooo wheelies might be a pipe dream. But you never know!
The second attachment has only four skinny legs. It is way down on my list. Rock bottom! Neither one of us like each other.
IT entails effort and fortitude.
Fortitude like this!!!
After 90 years of fortitude, I’m looking for the life of a sultan on my own pouf——full symphonic performances, operas in my own theatre, Broadway shows, the latest mystery books piled high, friends quipping and laughing, family, close by——really close by, happily on their own poufs.
I NEVER EVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE IN LOVE WITH A WHEEL CHAIR! BUT, I AM. The imagery of me feeling the breeze in my hair as teeth bared, I mightily pump my arms on those big wheels and soar down a long hallway on hardwood floors. In reality, the hallways have thick carpeting and if you see a black wheelchair moving with me in it, my speed is tediously inching along, no breeze.
Style wise, my yellow plastic seat cushion is a miss, a bit glaring. It’s not Rolls Royce worthy. I’m thinking of sending a picture to see how the Rolls Company will tone up my wheelchair cushion. Cross your fingers, I’m crossing mine!
But, I can skillfully wheel backward and do twirls. It is so light, it turns on a dime. My wish is to hopefully learn a dance routine and for that I plan to watch Fred Astaire movies. I recall a movie where he danced with a pole, (a far cry from a wheelchair) but I have hopes.
For a brief and exciting excursion outside the walls of my Retirement Realm, it might be possible to ride down and out through the main gates, If I garner up a fast speed and make a left turn onto La Costa Blvd. I could ride all the way to Highway 5 possibly making it down the freeway ramp where I will definitely stay on the blacktop. Or with a bunch of green lights I could keep rolling, in reality, more like meandering, out for a sunny day at the beach. I love this attachment.
My temporary pit stop to implement my healing is this new location surrounded by thoughtfully kind people who offer comprehensive care. When I ask, they share their own stories; it is an uplifting way to spend my days. For example:
Suphai is tall and slim. She has elegant posture and a lovely, beatific smile as she wields her cleaning tools. When she told me she was from Cambodia, I asked if she and her family had had to escape from the communist Khmer Rouge. They did. Suphai briefly shared her family’s story of the darkness of hiding and running and more hiding, constantly running to find short bouts of safety as they hid in tents and tunnels. They survived to eventually become U.S. citizens and as of now, my beautiful new friend has five children and is surrounded by her seven grandchildren.
Sara’s smile and personality spill over into laughter. Her energy and spirit are catching and I love her joy. When her beloved Father died at their home in Tijuana, she, her five sisters and one brother moved to live with their Grandmother in Mexico while her Mother made her way to San Diego. Two years of hard work resulted in allowing her Mother to bring her seven children to live permanently in the U.S. when Sara was twelve. Life evolved and three more brothers were added with a new father when her Mother’s strength was again tested as her new husband moved on. She was left to raise her ten children by herself. Today, Sara’s dance card is full. She shared a picture of her family. Standing in the center is her mother with a glorious smile. And why not? She has so proudly produced this happy, successful family of 56 members.
I could write blog after bog of more inspiring life stories. In essence, my healing life takes place in this Skilled Nursing facility that is a part of the Retirement Realm where I live. It is a bit of an out-of-this-world encounter. No extraterrestrials, but Aides who arrive to answer needs when bed-ridden and take general and gentle day and night care, nurses who dispense medication and therapists who challenge you to increase strength and stability. They help me find hidden tidbits of stouthearted tenacity to make the broken areas of my body work. These new connections and experiences fulfill my life and are a healing highlight.
About my romance: Sorrowfully and a bit bitterly, the powers that be will not let me take my beloved wheelchair home with me. Instead, guess which attachment I was forced to go home with? Of course——
THIS ATTACHMENT/CONTRAPTION
My heart breaks for my former love————
Words escape me!
Sy’s Salient Points:
My fall was so much more than the grist of mending and tedious strengthening exercises. It sparked paying attention to the sharing of lives of new friends. We seem to feel a sincere closeness. THEY CARED!
I am sending my heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of them AND to my friends who visited, called and e-mailed. to share their warmth and humor and lives. And my family who are always with me. LUCKY I AM!
Happy Belated Birthday to Carol
Happy Senior Year of High School, Darling Blaire