It feels like it’s been a few weeks since I wrote my weekly gratitude, though I missed only last week. My weeks were eventful and memorable so much that I feel one weekly gratitude post isn’t enough to share everything.
Last week, my kids started their new school year after the Summer holidays. As usual, I was nervous on the day school opened, thinking about all the things that could go wrong. Fortunately, everything went well.
Every new school year, my main concern is how well my kids will get along with the new teacher and vice versa. If the teacher and student can get along well, then other things can be sorted without any trouble.
The holidays went pretty quickly. We enjoyed a couple of trips this summer which gave us the much needed change of scenery and relaxation. We visited San Francisco in July and it was a fabulous trip. This was my second time visiting SFO, the first time when I was two months pregnant with my first born. That was 12 years ago. I didn’t like being in San Francisco at that time as I was battling with morning sickness. This place was in my ‘not want to visit again’ list for such a long time. But I am glad that my husband persuaded me to explore the place this time when I could devour the beautiful vistas and weather without the woes of morning sickness.
What is life without a few challenges thrown in your way, right? Last week right when the school got back in session my back pain re-emerged in full swing. Wednesday morning as I was unloading the dishwasher at 6 am, my back gave in. I couldn’t stand straight as I picked up the plates from the dishwasher. I couldn’t walk properly. And the pain was excruciating. My painkillers for the back pain are walking and yoga. But this time I couldn’t do both without hurting myself further. So I rested with my feet up, though the pain lingered. I took baby steps with so much fear and care. The yoga stretches that normally relieved my back pain seemed to be a Herculean task this time around. Truth is I couldn’t even move my leg a bit.
But with constant rest and trying to walk and stretch throughout the day, I was able to reduce the pain bit by bit in the slowest setting possible. Today, I am still in pain but not as much as when it started 6 days ago. I am able to walk a little faster. Don’t misunderstand me, by faster I mean slower than a normal person’s slow motion mode. You wouldn’t believe that a person could walk this slow. Also, I am able to do yoga poses a little better than earlier.
Initially, I got worried. What if this persists? What if I can’t walk? Even though I am yet to regain full functionality of my back and legs, I see improvement with patience and consistency. As this has happened three-four times before, I know that pain will eventually fade, and I will walk properly. And now I am in a better place as my little one is not so little. I don’t have to carry him battling the pain.
Definitely things are better this time as my husband is working from home. So he is around to help me with everything. My little one is not so little like the time when I had neck pain when he was 4 months old or when I had back pain when he was 1 year old or when he was 2 years old. It’s definitely better this time. My 5 year old little guy definitely understands that his mom has back pain and he can’t sit on my lap.
Though the pain sometimes makes me feel like an invalid, I am grateful for the blessings in my life that help me recuperate. Of course, it would have been better without having to deal with the pain and if I could walk and stand properly like an ordinary 38 year old woman. But I won’t complain. I know things will improve again. Pain is only one part of life. But it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Life has other parts that make it beautiful and worth living. I am counting my blessings more now than before.
I might stumble again. But I will learn to stand up tall again and again.
How was your week?
Joining Esha and Shilpa for #SoulfulSunday and #MondayMusings hosted by Corinne.
I love that spin of positivity with which you’re taking things in your stride despite being in so much pain, Vinitha! I can imagine the discomfort and the difficulty in handling day-to-day things with it but being able to see the light does help one in feeling that this too is a passing phase and that come what may, you know you will be able to rise above the challenges again and again. It’s a blessing that your hubby is around to help you and that little Akku also understands mommy is in pain. I’m praying that you come out of this acute discomfort and pain very very soon. Take rest as much as possible, Vinitha. You’ll be back in action very soon for more travels and more fun things to do later.
Hugs and best wishes
xoxo
You are amazing. How can you be so full of gratitude when you are in so much pain. It’s something I try to emulate. Praying for your pain to go away and for you to get back on your feet at normal speed! God Bless
I hope you’re feeling better now, Vini. It must be so scary at time. I admire your spirit. Hugs.
Glad you took that trip and that the boys are settling back into school.