Wild Ride
Posted on January 21, 2012
It is an interesting dichotomy that there is always an opposite in every thing. Christmas was unusually delightful this year, with everyone gathered in Illinois. Especially charming was a visit from Texas of my niece’s family, including her three “small fry’s” - a 4 year-old, 2 year-old, and 6 month-old. Naturally, there was the exhilarating excitement typical of the bright-eyed imagination of little ones. We had such entertainment in their busy motions, curious chatter, and wondrous amazement. Although a calm, quiet, reflective Christmas does have it’s advantages, there is nothing comparable to the energy of a Christmas, full of “Santa anticipation,” and then followed by the optimism of a sensational new year.
But as the saying goes (although not completely accurate), all good things must come to an end. And I had a surprisingly abrupt end on January 13, when my father slipped on the winter ice and broke his hip. The contrast of youthful invincibility with elderly fragility has been a painful reminder of nature’s inevitable cycles. It has been a week, complete with one wild ride after another, from the ambulance run to the hospital, the worrisome wait of a surgery, the exhaustive ordeal of post-operative effects and complications, and finally the emotional and physical brace for the long haul of rehabilitation. Fortunately for me, there is strength in numbers, and I am very grateful for the family support we provide each other. I don’t know how “only children” cope with crisis. I suppose they import “family” from their relationships, which gives them much needed aid.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on attitude, it is a fact that without experiencing the “bad” in life, it would be impossible to appreciate the “good”. Without the bitter, there would be no recognition of the sweet. The tendency is to wish to forego the bitter and just “enjoy” a life of sweet. Although some would suggest such a ride were possible, it is really only a mirage. Monotony would rule and life would waste. It is a tough lesson to learn but it is critical, indeed.
Yes, life relentlessly bombards us with lessons to learn so that in the end we can complete and pass the course with flying colors! And with the proper outlook, the human spirit is a resilient one. I still hope this episode has a happy ending. Nevertheless, I’ll continue to seek comfort in the universal medicine of the soul - a good song! I hope you are able to benefit from such medicine http://www.openupyourheart.net/music.html and that your ride is a successful one.
But as the saying goes (although not completely accurate), all good things must come to an end. And I had a surprisingly abrupt end on January 13, when my father slipped on the winter ice and broke his hip. The contrast of youthful invincibility with elderly fragility has been a painful reminder of nature’s inevitable cycles. It has been a week, complete with one wild ride after another, from the ambulance run to the hospital, the worrisome wait of a surgery, the exhaustive ordeal of post-operative effects and complications, and finally the emotional and physical brace for the long haul of rehabilitation. Fortunately for me, there is strength in numbers, and I am very grateful for the family support we provide each other. I don’t know how “only children” cope with crisis. I suppose they import “family” from their relationships, which gives them much needed aid.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on attitude, it is a fact that without experiencing the “bad” in life, it would be impossible to appreciate the “good”. Without the bitter, there would be no recognition of the sweet. The tendency is to wish to forego the bitter and just “enjoy” a life of sweet. Although some would suggest such a ride were possible, it is really only a mirage. Monotony would rule and life would waste. It is a tough lesson to learn but it is critical, indeed.
Yes, life relentlessly bombards us with lessons to learn so that in the end we can complete and pass the course with flying colors! And with the proper outlook, the human spirit is a resilient one. I still hope this episode has a happy ending. Nevertheless, I’ll continue to seek comfort in the universal medicine of the soul - a good song! I hope you are able to benefit from such medicine http://www.openupyourheart.net/music.html and that your ride is a successful one.