Update:
I managed to lose enough weight that at this week’s weigh-in, I
registered a loss. Last week when I
weighed-In I had gained 1.6 pounds, so this week I had to work a bit harder to
get into the loss column. I did it! In the last eight weeks I have lost 20.2
pounds. Still have at least 35 lbs. to
go; but I am on the road. I also found
out that I am down to a 44 waist in my pants and dropped a shirt size or
two. Fortunately I found some older
things of mine in that size so I have something to wear that’s not so baggy on
me. So I guess there are some benefits
to not cleaning your closet out too quickly!
Our children who live in the area came over on the 4th and
we emptied out three storage units that we had been renting. My wife, Karen, and Kate, David, Jon, and
Josh did a lot of work sorting, carrying, loading, unloading, dumping and
stacking everything. I wasn’t too much
help carrying things, so I was left behind to guard the partially empty storage
units and to sweep them out after we got them cleaned. Karen and I started gathering stuff at about
7:15 a.m. and we got home about 5:15 p.m. Dirty. Tired. Satisfied. A lot went into the dumpster, we have another
large pile that still needs to be tossed after they empty the dumpster—but we
managed to squeeze everything into other spots that we had so we don’t have to
rent the storage units any more.
Whew! Great job everybody!
Our outdoor faucet (ant-siphon sillcock) broke yesterday (7/4). One of the boys turned the water on to get a
drink from the hose and then couldn’t get it to shut the water off. We ended up turning the water off to the
valve—sort of. The shut off valve that
feeds that faucet and clothes washer hasn’t been used in years. We couldn’t get it all the way shut
either. We put the garden hose on the
outside faucet and cranked it on tight to try to slow the water leaking. So today I have to evaluate whether I think
that I can do the plumbing job of replacing the entire thing, find replacement
parts to repair it, or just wait until Monday to call a plumber. I am not too worried about doing the plumbing
stuff itself; it’s more having to work up on a ladder in the basement. I’ve really shied away from climbing on
ladders since getting my prosthesis. It
represents a whole different level of energy and balance that I really haven’t
practiced yet. What galls me is that
being a plumber’s son, I know I can do the plumbing itself—I just don’t know if
I can do the work. I might just go buy
something to cap off the faucet and wait until after the holiday weekend for a
plumber. My wife told me to “be wise and
be careful”—I think that is her polite and sensitive way of telling me, “Call a
plumber!”
Thought for the Day:
Right now I am dealing with the frustration of not being physically
able to do things that I used to be able to do.
Overall I am feeling great and feel very thankful for what I am able to
do; but I’ve got my limits. I am gaining
strength and stamina; but it is a long-haul back for me and I don’t know if I
will every fully regain the abilities that I’ve lost. I’ll really need to give it another year or
so to see what my limits truly are.
While this is a bit of an emotional downer to me—I am so grateful for
all that I am able to do. This requires
wisdom and waiting. I cannot risk
pushing too far, too fast and end up hurting myself; and yet it is necessary
for me to stretch to learn the extent of everything that I can accomplish. It was an emotional struggle watching the
rest of my family lift and carry all day yesterday at the storage units while I
was fairly ineffective at most of the tasks that needed to be done.
I know that as they age everyone ends up facing a similar
struggle. The gulf between what they
used to be able to do and now what is safe and wise for them to do grows with
each passing year. I have a greater
appreciation for the struggle that older people have giving up their car or the
home they raised the kids in because it isn’t safe and they aren’t able to keep
it up any longer. “It’s just mowing the
lawn; I should be able to do that!” We
spend decades of our lives learning new skills and abilities only to have them
stripped from us month after month later in our lives. In life we transition from dependence to
independence. We celebrate passing each milestone
of independence: get our driver’s license, buy our own car, graduate from high
school and then college, get a job, get married, start a family, etc. But nobody celebrates the loss of
independence that happens towards the end of our lives. Giving up the car, moving into an assisted
living residence, not being able to go and to do whenever and whatever you
pleased. So many things that you used to
be able to do are stripped away from you—no wonder that it is a hard
transition! From dependent to
independence to dependence once again.
I remember a few years back mourning over the losses that I witnessed
my father go through. He was always
stronger than I was and had a sharp mind for math. He was an experience plumber. Yet I saw him become weaker, mentally slower,
and even incapable of doing relatively simple plumbing jobs.
So remember to be gentle with those who are aging, infirm or injured and
no longer capable to do what they used to be able to do. Be patient with them as they struggle to
accomplish what would be quick and easy for you to get done. Be willing to lend a hand and politely offer
to help when you are able. Encourage
them to do what they can safely do on their own and be there for them when they
need a helping hand. Pray for them to
graciously make that transition without lots of tension and animosity towards the
family and friends who are helping them.
Pray for those transitions to go smoothly and peacefully at the
appropriate time.
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