Getting old is filled with life lessons. My curriculum includes recognizing and appreciating pain-free moments. I plan my days around them:
Whatever time I wake up I start my morning ritual: meds, then a lie-down until the pain in my back, legs, and feet subsides enough to walk Luci around the block. At 11:00, like clockwork, repeat. Phone off. Six days out of the past seven the pain has been straight-up excruciating.
I see an excellent chiropractor twice a week and get a massage about once a week. The results are impressive for a few hours. During the breaks in pain I juggle errands and phone calls and book making. A single hour of cutting, painting, stitching, and sorting is bliss.
But most of my hours include lying down, watching Handmade Book Club videos and movies and sleeping. I've watched all 12 episodes of The Pitt, four episodes of the mini series of Adolescence--both outstanding. I've watched The Miracle Club, The Year of the Dog, and Twisters. And I've folded eight signatures for a book it will take me weeks to finish.
I know instantly when it's time to stop standing and start reclining with ice packs, meds, and feet up. The clues are unmistakable--a burning in the feet, heat and pain in the lower back, the whole right leg on fire.
These rituals have taught me to appreciate every moment of creativity, to regard them as vital to my sanity and joy. Pain is a humbling teacher.
No comments:
Post a Comment