#3 "Be Careful What You Pray For...."

First, I want to be clear that this post is written tongue-in-cheek.  Those that have known me for awhile know that I am fluent in sarcasm. This post is about humor.

There are numerous prayers and comments that have left my mouth the last few years that are being answered in interesting ways.  Let's start with praying for God to help me with patience.  Seriously?  Apparently, I should have been a little more specific.  Every step of this process is about waiting -- try this medication, come back in 6 weeks; now we will change this, come back in a month; then wait 2 months to see a different doctor.  Even getting dressed takes forever.  And God must have thought I was praying for my husband, too, as he is having to exercise GREAT levels of patience with me and this whole process.

I believe I was doing some serious praying about my weight last year, too.  Apparently, working out 5 mornings per week was not working for me--but now the weight is just falling off -- not enjoying that process as much as I expected.  And I REALLY miss salty/crunchy food.  Speaking of food, here is a funny item. When in high school, I worked full time at our local hospital as a dietician's assistant.  I was in charge of calling the individual orders, and making sure each patient's tray was complete.  I used to swear I would never eat pureed food after that...guess what my diet now consists of???

Let's also cover me talking to my mother about shuffling her feet a couple of years ago -- now those are my feet we hear shuffling down the hall.  And my jokes about the electric lift recliners ( that I used to jokingly call "launch" chairs) -- yes, you guessed it--I am sitting in one. The only chair in the house I can get out of without a struggle.

I also have been known to be a little chatty -- even my report cards from school referred to my "talents" in this department.  I must have used up my quota of words, as speaking is becoming more and more difficult.  What an inconvenient time, too, as I try to communicate with my medical team!  As my left hand has limited function, I now type using the "hunt and peck" method, so even email is work.

I have lived a proudly independent life...until I became mostly dependent...in what seems like the blink of an eye.  I really do find humor in much of these circumstances, thank goodness.  As hard as some of us try to control our lives, there really is so much we have no control over.  I am learning to "let go and let God" every step of this process.  It is not easy, but in many ways it is freeing.  What lessons are there in this situation?  First, never say never.  Next, stop long enough to enjoy each day. And third, let people love you and be there for you -- they need it as much as you do.

Love and great appreciation to all that have written to me, called, texted, emailed, visited, prayed and thought about me.  Everyone of you have a piece of my heart.