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The distance isn't very far, but there are obstacles. A large Golden Retriever is sprawled in the hallway, and an Australian Shepherd is right in front of the refrigerator.
I'm thirsty. I am dehydrated because of the ongoing fever. It takes so much effort just to rollover, and much more to get up and walk to the kitchen.
I'm dizzy; unsteady on my feet, and I have to be careful stepping over the dogs. I could command them to "Get Up", but then they become excited to see me out of bed and they weave around me. I could easily trip and fall.
My history of falling has been dramatic. One time involved flying through the air while wearing rollerskates. Another was on a seemingly harmless hike on a snowy day. Both times resulted in smashed arms. Other, lesser mishaps have given me nasty bruises or broken toes.
I'm always surprised by the challenges that hit me, continually. I'm accustomed to the respiratory problems. I know the course of treatment and the duration. I know my body's reactions and I'm then resigned to the two or three weeks of complete bed rest. At those times I'm too tired to even turn the pages of a magazine or hold up a book. I can operate the remote for the TV though, and I can sleep.
But this time I'm out of commission because of one little bee sting.
I have all the symptoms of Lyme Disease, but really it was a bee I removed from my ankle.
My body does make my life interesting. I tend to have "rare and unusual" medical problems.
How do I get through these episodes? Well, first I wallow in disbelief for a day or so. I hardly recover from one event before I'm slammed with something else. My faith isn't quite strong enough yet to thank God for each new challenge, immediately when it arrives.
Gradually I do accept, "here I go again". Family and friends joke about the black cloud that seems to hover over me. But really, I know there is another lesson Jesus wants to teach me, through each experience.
Looking back over the years, I see I've learned compassion for other people's woes. I always try to do something, anything, for hurting folks. Any act of kindness will most likely be welcomed by a suffering soul. Sometimes I prepare a meal, or just a loaf of bread. One time I gathered several different magazines for a friend. Many times I'll just call and go over, to listen, to make future plans, or just to come up with a reason for us to laugh. Those are the things I appreciate the most. Cards are nice to receive, especially the first card and the unexpected ones. Emails are good too, because you don't need energy to go down to the mailbox at the road, if you're in the country, like we are.
When illness confines me to my home, Jesus teaches me, while I'm captive, even when exhausted, I can always pray. It calms me to pray for my family members who I know so well. When I pray for friends, I hope they receive relief, or peace, or answers. As I pray, I can thank my Lord for loving me, and caring for me along the pathway, even with its obstacles.
Right now there are two little faces resting on the side of my bed, staring at me. One bright face has golden hair, the other is black.
Four bright brown eyes are urging me, and their little voices are whining to me, to pet them, feed them, and let them outside to play. So, I'll peel myself up to care for "the boys" and make my stroll to the fridge, without incident.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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