Update:
After my morning meeting on Friday, I went to the church to make
certain everything was set up for the Blood Drive. I tried to give Double Red, but they had
trouble with my veins rolling on them. I
was very disappointed that because of the rules I wasn’t allowed to give after
they got a “sample-size” of my blood. Oh
well, at least I got a “Bruise of Courage” where they made the attempt. I never used to have trouble until I was
hospitalized last fall—I guess that I got poked and prodded so much that now my
veins are shy and don’t like company.
Ha!
I went into Eau Claire to buy a couple of short-sleeved dress shirts,
so I have something nice to wear on Sunday morning that fits me. Everybody sells long-sleeved shirts but there
is very little selection for short-sleeved ones. I finally found some that fit well at Penney’s. That was the second store that I went
to. I was glad that I didn’t have to go
to any other stores. I really don’t like
shopping (although I like buying) and it would have violated my restrictions on
how far I am supposed to walk.
I decided to grill some steaks so I started up the charcoal when I got
home. Mmm…Mmm…Good! This is the first time that I grilled out
since my amputation. Glad I did some
extra so I have leftovers to enjoy for a few days! I also started some laundry, then spilt a
full glass of water all over the floor—so much fun to clean up! No! I am not clumsy! Floors, doorways, and object in my hand or on
the counter just hate me. That is why
the glass of water jumped out of my hand.
After that, I rode 10 gnat-filled miles on my bicycle. A few of them managed to gnaw on my ear. It
still is a bit itchy today. After the
ride I showered, washed everything up and then read in bed for a bit before
turning the lights out.
Saturday morning after breakfast I was loading the dishwasher. At that point I hadn’t put my leg on, so I
was balancing on one foot. My wife came
to hug me good-bye and it was a bit awkward with the door of the dishwasher
down and my wheelchair behind me. As I
was stretching to get to her hug, she cautioned me, “Be careful! Don’t lose
your balance.” I responded, “It won’t be
the first time that I fell for you.”
Awww!
Saturday morning, I took another 10 mile bike ride, going up a hill
that I have avoided so far. I made it up
without stopping! Getting stronger and
leaner every day!
The rest of the day will be spent doing my exercises, ironing clothes
and folding my laundry, attending a birthday party, and then spending the
evening with my wife.
Thought for the Day:
“Novelist J.M. Barrie observed, ‘The life of every man is a diary in
which he means to write one story and writes another; and his humblest hour is
when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it.’ That has been true for me. In many ways, I’ve fallen short of what I
would have liked to do and be. However,
in the hour when we compare what we desired to do with what we have actually
done, if we are humble and open to the lessons life offers to teach us, we
increase the odds of our success. And
knowing that we have tried our best, perhaps we will be content with what we
have been able to become and accomplish.” [John Maxwell, Sometimes You Win and
Sometimes You Learn].
Dreams and plans are wonderful things and help to propel us farther in
life than if we never stretched beyond the possible in our lives. But life has a way of sometimes knocking us
back and laying us flat. Unexpected
events and difficulties channel our energies and efforts into new directions
that we never would have imagined before the roadblocks of life caused us to
detour to a new destination.
Just because we didn’t complete our goals and fulfill all our dreams
doesn’t mean that we have failed. If we
are honest in our evaluations, sometimes it was probably best that we didn’t achieve
some of the goals that we wanted to reach; because the cost we would have paid
would have been too high. And ultimately,
a successful life isn’t a matter of what we have achieved as much as who we
have become in the process of stretching for our goals.
I think everyone should have goals and dreams and work hard towards achieving
them; but don’t allow the twists and turns of life sour your attitude along the
way; because getting there really is half the fun! So enjoy the journey and wholeheartedly
follow the path that you’re on whether it is exactly what you had chosen before
you started the journey.
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