photo by
Denise Grant |
MAY 25-2010
Sunny days, starry nights; freedom from winter
cover-ups, which are now tucked away for another six
months; the livin’ is easy and it’s only late May.
What news?
The equipment I needed for so long to get around, ie
crutches and then walking sticks is now set aside. I
propel and support myself now. Hurts a bit, but why
cry about it? The healing and recovery from my car
accident continues nicely.
In April I returned to Australia, the scene of my
erstwhile setback. With my wife Betty I visited the
hospitals where I spent months in medical care. We
also went to see the people who were on the scene of
my crash
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and who saved my life. It was a very
emotional time. I owe so much to so many. Gratitude
will forever be the enduring theme and guiding light
of my days. How can we ever
know the full extent of the impact we have on other
people’s lives? During this trip I learned of the
psychological trauma which my rescuers suffered. I
learned of the pall which was cast over the little
town outside Melbourne, Daylesford, where my family
was based when the news of my accident reached the
townsfolk. I learned of the changes which were
wrought in the aftermath of my crash, and of factors
that night which both aided and endangered my
survival. Betty and I visited Australian friends and
restored some calm to the waters made turbulent by
my dramatic change to everyone’s script. Everyone in
Oz needed to see me whole and ambulatory so as to
move on.
There was also an agenda of visits to medical
specialists, nine in all, to be attended as the main
reason for my return. Their task was to determine,
collectively, the extent of disability which I am
left with at this point and presumably for good.
That became a bit of a depressing discussion, as I
was made to focus repeatedly on the complete story
of what’s wrong with me (I grant that may be an
inexhaustible topic). I’d spent these last two years
thinking about what’s still right with me. Positive
thinking makes such a difference, as I was reminded
again in those testing appointments. I don’t know
yet what those otherwise genial doctors decided
about me, but my own determination is that nothing
will stop me from returning to the things I do well
with all the energy I can muster. To that energy I
can now add the wisdom and knowledge with which I’ve
been blessed.
Enjoy this life. It is good! People are good. We
should reach out and help one another to make the
best and happiest world that we can. Peace, brothers
and sisters.
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