A good night’s sleep helped the day to start off better. The pain in my foot is practically gone…though my right shoulder and left hip are sore. I guess compensating for a lame foot and a heavy cast can take its toll on the rest of my body.
I spent most of the day working on this website. Under normal circumstances, I would have never had time for this. Too many other responsibilities would have demanded my attention. Sitting on a recliner most of the day gave me the time I needed. I pray that something I write will be an encouragement to others.
My biggest adventure today was going to a sporting goods store with Liz and the boys. The boys had some Christmas money and they wanted some sports jerseys and/or Under Armor. I simply wanted to get out of the house. A sporting goods store wasn’t a bad place to start.
A lady in our church loaned us a small wheelchair. Standing up with crutches is not easy for me right now. The angle of my left foot makes it difficult to rest the cast on the ground so I usually end up standing like a flamingo with my left leg bent behind me. It’s a position I can only hold for a few minutes. The wheelchair is a nicer option.
My four year old wanted to push me. Scary thought. I pictured OJ Simpson in The Naked Gun rolling down the stadium steps and flipping out onto the field. I mentioned that movie scene to my kids and they asked, “Who’s O.J. Simpson?” I guess that’s good.
Each of the boys took a turn pushing me in the sporting goods. For some reason, that was a neat experience for them. Noah scared me the most. He seemed to think there was some kind of race to win. Eventually I decided to roll myself around.
It was a unique experience being in a wheelchair in a store during Christmas shopping season. A few kids stared at me. Sale racks blocked many of the aisles. I got stuck between a table and a wall while looking at a clearance sale on shoes. But over time I learned how to maneuver fairly well and avoid rolling over people’s toes. I felt like a midget checking out, reaching up to sign the credit card receipt on the checkout counter.
Coming home we stopped by Starbucks for a caramel frappuccino. The day was getting better every moment.
At home, I watched another football game, Florida vs. Florida State. I grew up a Florida State fan. I heard Bobby Bowden give his testimony at a Baptist youth conference when I was around twelve years old. I became a fan instantly. The rest of my family rooted for the Gators while I cheered on the ‘Noles. My mom eventually cheered with me. She didn’t really care too much about football and didn’t want her youngest son to cheer alone. The ‘Noles were much better then so I enjoyed a lot more good moments than the rest of my family. How times have changed…except for the fact that Bobby Bowden is still coaching.
I guess it is bad to abandon the FSU ship in the midst of such a pitiful season but I honestly wanted Florida to win. Not that I care about the Gators. I simply admire the strong Christian testimony of Tim Tebow and I want him to end his college career with an indisputable claim to the “best college football player in history.” Two Heismans, three nationals championships, and a slew of SEC records would do it. My kids have already devoted themselves as Gator fans (at least for now). It is hard to blame them after watching them destroy the ‘Noles. Oh, Bobby, it is time to retire.
We put up the Christmas tree (I watched), ate dinner (my leg propped up on the chair next to me), and then started getting ready for bed.
The other handicapped accessory I got today was a shower seat. I can’t wait to use it tonight before going to bed.
Our home has almost been completely transformed into “handicap-friendly.” Chairs are strategically positioned throughout the house. The recliner has been outfitted with all the modern conveniences of life. And most of the kids’ toys have actually been picked up off the floor. Amazing.
Perhaps the neatest thing I am seeing in this whole ordeal is my kids’ picking up the slack at home. Jonah practically unpacked and put up the Christmas tree on his own. The boys are setting the table and clearing it after a meal. This morning they pitched in to clean up the whole house. Noah delivered my food today and even did a little dance to entertain me.
I have noticed that often people don’t rise to a challenge until they have to. Maybe as a parent, I often get in the way of letting my children take on more responsibility. Or maybe as a child, they step back when they think someone else can do it. Whatever the case, this injury has raised the bar for them in our house.
Thank You, Lord, for helping me to see and enjoy the simple blessings of life.
