Emapthy

Last Friday was the official start of Spring Break here in our town. Casey took off to visit one of his cousins in a neighboring state on Thursday afternoon. I expect him back on Saturday. He is making a good long vacation out of it. For the most part, the weather has cooperated. It has been cloudy and windy on some days, but for the most part it has been mild and pleasant weather. I decided to do some outside work, so on Saturday I began a major clean up of the backyard. It was a mess, and even now still needs a lot of work. Two of the lab pups had been given full run of the yard for quite a while and they left a huge disaster area. There were bits and pieces of everything imaginable strewn all over the yard. I figured that the bending and all would be good exercise for me. I hadn't, however counted on pulling muscles on my side. I just wasn't thinking, I guess, and I pulled a huge container of stinky water to the alley to dump it. I yanked and tugged at it, of course, using my right arm. I was a little sore on Sunday, but it was nothing to brag or complain about, either way.

Last night, it hit me and I had to take Advil before I went to sleep. Oh my goodness. The entire right side of my torso was aching and when I moved certain ways it would just spasm! I sure didn't want to complain about it. I felt bad for even grunting a little because of all the pain and aggravation that Russell has had with the broken and fractured ribs. It really made me feel guilty for feeling "miffed" when he would ask me to do things for him when I was busy doing other things. I was feeling so miserable and just getting myself up out of a chair really hurt. I just can't imagine how much worse he must have felt, especially those first couple of weeks, and even now, after working all day.

Well, Russ got up at 5am today. I set the coffee pot to start brewing at 4:30 so I wouldn't have to get up. He was already up before 5am, so I turned off the alarm clock, thankful that I would get to keep sleeping. After he left, I got up and took two Ibuprofen liquid gels (they are great!) and laid back down. I took two more at 3this afternoon. I don't even want to act like I'm complaining to him, because I know he is going to so achy and tired when he finally gets home tonight.

Empathy is a wonderful thing. It teaches you so much more than mere sympathy. Sympathy has it's place, but empathy brings things much closer. Every time my back and side twinge today, it reminds me to pray for Russell, and ask the Lord to keep him from hurting so bad, and to make his jobs go quickly and easily for him.

I talked to Mom for a long time this afternoon. I guess we both had our talking shoes on! I had been cleaning up the laundry room, cleaning out my refrigerator, taking out some trash and picking up some trash that had blown into the back yard. I was contemplating trying to tackle some of the junk on the deck, but then she called. I took it as a "sign", so after we talked, I just stayed inside. will begin supper soon. There's always tomorrow. (or is there?)

Back In The Saddle Again

Three weeks, ago, on February 22nd, Russell fell off a ladder while working. He fell onto a wooden deck from roof height. He broke his fall by breaking three ribs and causing many more fractures. It was rough going for several days. Naturally, as most everyone knows, nothing can really be done for ribs that are broken, except to bind them, and to rest. He has rested for three weeks, going to back to work a few days on light duty. However, this past Wednesday he dove back into work and spent a large portion of the day finishing his designated jobs, just making it home in time for church. After that very full day, his load was lightened a bit for the rest of the week. This morning he only received one job, so it should be a good day for him. Last Wednesday when he had so many jobs to do, I prayed for him all day long. Not many minutes went by that he didn't cross my mind, so I said a prayer. I know that God was with him that day, helping him finish. I was proud of what he accomplished that day.


Now, the past three weeks have been interesting, to say the least. He is a huge baby when it comes to pain, but I think he did pretty well. My problem was having him in the house all the time. It is so funny how you get used to things being a certain way so quickly. I mean, you really settle into something and you act as if it has always been. Not, so, however, for only a few months ago, I was gone for close to ten hours each day. Now, since I am CEO of the house once again, I treat it as my domain, and don't appreciate any interruptions from my routine. Am I getting old or what?

It took my quite a while to get things back in order in our home. I got more done after Russell began his new job, because he was out of "my way". Once things were in order, it was easier to keep my routine. Well, three weeks ago my routine flew out the window. It is such a selfish thing, too! It is only my time, but I had to share it all day with my ailing patient. Oh, of course, I didn't mind, but I think it amusing how I settled into my nest so easily. I have heard so many women say that they would "go crazy" if they HAD to stay home with nothing to do. I find just the opposite is true. Now that I am more free, I don't have enough time to do all the things that I want to do. It is great to be able to plan a Bible study of my own. I actually began two "Mother's Journals" recently, one for each of my children. I have been praying about a small group study. The Lord hasn't given me the go ahead on that one yet, but I'm looking at studies and praying about it.

Now that Russell is back in the saddle again with his job, this week being his first full week back, I will also need to get back in the saddle again around the house. After all, as most of you who know me will attest, I do prefer a nice, slow trot to an all out gallop!