Thank you CitySonnet for hosting this monthly challenge! https://citysonnet.wordpress.com/2020/01/01/january-photo-a-day-challenge-2/
“Now I am Six”
When I was one,
I had just begun.
When I was two,
I was nearly new.
When I was three,
I was hardly me.
When I was four,
I was not much more.
When I was five,
I was just alive.
But now I am six,
I’m as clever as clever.
So I think I’ll be six
Now and forever.
Poem by A.A. Milne, the creator of Winnie the Pooh character and books
When I found this poem, I immediately thought of my 6-year-old daughter. In the past year, she has matured so much in the way she talks, behaves, thinks, and feels. Here I go…a proud mama.
She surprises me with her use of words and information she retains. I still think of her as a baby and don’t realize how much information she comprehends and retain. Last week she asked me, “Mommy, what does Hypoplastic Left heart mean?” “What’s happening with my vocal cores (she doesn’t hear the “d” sound when it’s pronounced)?”
Her loud laughs, thoughtful questions, and dance moves she does when she thinks no one is watching make my heart cartwheel. For Elliot it was only 2 years ago, but he talks about being 6 like it was eons ago. He refers to it as his baby days: maybe it’s a big brother thing.
Sometimes, I get reminiscent and talk about the days when they were born or toddlers. They can’t get enough of it and want me to keep remembering, which keeps getting spottier over the years.
Another thing about being six: Ellis starts some stories with the preface, “you know when I was young, I used to…”
When she figures something out for the first time that 10+7=17 and 7+10=17, she snaps her finger, taps foot, nods head up and down, and stands akimbo. She says, “I need water. I’m parched.” It’s like she saying, “Look at me. I’m growing up. I know stuff that I didn’t know yesterday!”
Me too, kid. I’m learning and relearning for the upteenth time something new with you everyday!
Hi readers,
It’s been over a week since I’ve last posted. Life has been hectic to say the least.
This year is starting off with knee pains for me. It’s been an ongoing issue but it really hit the roof in December 2019. After the usual imaging tests, the result is that one part of my knee has worn-down cartilage that needs surgical repair. I’ve been oblivious. But the surgeon will not know if it can be repaired until the knee scope test, which required general anesthesia. The hope is that it can be repaired immediately following the scope exam. If the scope results show that there’s more cartilage damage, then I’ll have to wait until the other cartilage wears down; this will require a knee replacement. Nice?!
I’ve been in a dilemma trying to decide whether to postpone surgery till the summer or get it done next month. But the recent pain level is showing me that sooner is better. It’s now affecting my lower back; I can’t find a comfortable resting position. Thus, the tossing and turning and fidgeting and constipated look on my face from discomfort. I even got X-rays for my back in case it’s a separate issue that needs to be addressed, and then I can decide the best treatment schedule. Turns out it’s muscle spasms.
Yesterday morning I seriously considered postponing till summer when Ellis started throwing up for no reason. I already envisioned us ending up in the hospital for abdominal migraine and going through that whole bit. Then, mid afternoon she was all better; by this time, my nerves were shot.
This experience is giving me newfound empathy for people living with chronic pain. It affects everything you do and it’s hard to enjoy the day when your body is sending loud pain messages. What a lesson in hitting the pause life button, oh so reluctantly. God is teaching me some hard life lessons that I need to relinquish it all to God, believe that he knows what’s best for me, and the need to take better care of myself. That latter statement is a hard one for me since I’ve always believed that it’s selfish to take care of yourself. It’s self-sabotage thinking.
If I’m hurting, how can I take care of others? I wish I didn’t have this pain nor this existential issue looming over me. But life seems to love throwing me these challenges. Still thankful that this is a fixable issue and for medical advances.
As for blogging, I think my posts will be sporadic for a while. But I may find more quiet time to post more during recovery. I’ve noticed that I’m taking less photos these days and not stopping to snap pictures of pretty flowers I see. This is so not like me!! But I will try my best to post when I can since I miss connecting with others in this community. And please be patient with me, I will respond to comments slower than usual. 🙂
Hope everyone is having a good month of January! February is right around the corner and new adventures await. Let’s embrace them with courage, hope, and some smiles to lighten the load for one another!
Thank you for hosting this challenge! https://mindovermemory.home.blog/category/sculpture-saturday/
This beautiful glass sculpture was hanging from the ceiling of a round entrance hall of a medical center. You can see it from all three levels in different angles. Each side has different combination of colors and it exudes warmth or coolness. The gradation of colors remind me of sea creatures in deep waters and sunlight shimmering on the surface of the water.
These places don’t have to be a white canvas but spaces with colors of hope and health. I especially appreciate hospitals and medical centers using art to beautify the environment and to provide a calming experience for their patients and visitors. Rarely did I notice this until I frequented the children’s hospital for Ellis and realized how it softened the place. Then, it just became a thing I started to notice.
I love how this Sculpture Saturday challenge gives all of us an opportunity to share the sculptures we find in our surroundings.
