The Walking Stick II

May 29, 2013

Dear Readers,

A top of the morning to y'all!  Hope that you're having a super day filled with love, laughter, and serenity!!

What do you think of this suitcase?  Every time I look at this photo, I get the giggles.  It's a perfect Miss Dottie getaway piece!!  Ah yes, it would be so nice to pack it with some essentials and hit the road.  BUT (don't you just hate that word BUT?) my days of much traveling may be slowing down.

Yesterday was another first ... the day I bought my first cane.  My friend, Beverly, went with me to Burke's to assist me with my selection.  Turned out they only had a couple so I picked out the less ugly of the two.  Believe me, I will be on the lookout for a cane more becoming!  Somehow, a utility type cane doesn't fit my personality!!

If you've been following my blogs, you've known my struggles with Fibromyalgia, arthritis, and Degenerative Disk Disease.  Time goes by so quickly and my ability to get up from a sitting position has gotten more and more difficult.  I've always been a person who finds a way to adjust to my circumstances and rise above them so I figured if Jesus could carry a walking stick, I could too!  Once I get up and get going, I do pretty well which is a good thing!!

Twenty years ago, I was lifting weights and going with the speed of a locomotive.  I thought that I could climb mountains and dance the night away (which I could and did!).  Never in a million years did I ever think that arthritis would eat away at my spine.  Ten years ago, I was still very much a go-getter.  I'd just gotten a new job which I loved and was engaged to marry Michael.  My family was expanding with new grandkids and life was not only good but great!!  I had decided to build a new house in McKinney, Texas and begin a new chapter in my book of life.  Life was full of smiles, friends, fun and busyness!  I was on my way...

So, what happened?  Life happened.  I didn't plan to get on that roller coaster of health challenges but somehow, I got handed a ticket.  I will never forget the day that changed my life forever ... November 4, 2004.  That was the day that I had 360 back surgery.  For those of you who are saying, "What is that?" ... my surgeon opened me up from the front, fixed one side of my spine then turned me over and opened me up from the back and fixed that side.  I spent six weeks flat on my back while I healed.  I must say, the surgery was a great success; however, once that was fixed, other areas started to crumble.  Since 2004, I cannot tell you how many major surgeries I have had on my lumbar/cervical spine and feet.  With each surgery, I prayed for a miracle of healing ~~ I did everything the doctors told me to do and stayed positive.  BUT (ugh, there's that word again!)...

There have been some things in my life that have been out of my control.  As a "fixer" and a "pray-er," I have always felt that for every challenge there was a solution.  I still feel that way.  I may not be able to sit for any length of time without stiffness and getting up may be a challenge; however, my cane will enable me to get my "get up" going.  The Internet has been a great tool in helping me understand my challenges and offer solutions.  One thing is LOUD AND CLEAR:  To give in to the pain and sit means disaster for me in the long haul.

To write my blog means my fingers, albeit crooked and swollen, will stay limber.  To use my cane will enable me to continue to garden, rise from seated positions easier, and walk further distances.  To continue to read scripture and positive books keeps my mind sharp and forward thinking.  Life is just different than it was even six months ago.  For those of you that are experiencing challenges you didn't sign up for, I want to encourage you to keep on keepin' on.  Use what you have to make stepping stones to a brighter tomorrow no matter what tomorrow brings.

Today is a new day and I am grateful for my yesterdays.  I am grateful that my struggles have made me strong, mentally and spiritually.  To be strong mentally and spiritually has enabled me to work through the physical maladies.  If you are young, take good care of yourself knowing that life throws curve balls.  Don't take your health for granted thinking it will always be with you.  Build a firm foundation in faith, love, and the Lord God!!

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ...  NO BUTS!!

Miss Dottie

PS  "So we do not lose heart.  Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." ~~2 Corinthians 4:16-18