Strength Where You Least Expect It

A funny thing happened to me in the grocery store. Well really, it’s been happening to me everywhere I go. People keep telling me about hidden pains and injuries. Since my wrist is in a brace to allow my tendon to heal, I am visibly injured. When people ask and find out it will take more than six months to heal, they tell me about their struggles.

The cashier has pressure on the nerve in his ankle, someone at a party has a frozen shoulder, and someone else has constant knee pain. I feel like I’ve been admitted to a secret society. Very good-natured people are suffering yet I never would have guessed how they grapple with a long-term injury. Their acceptance of their pain and ability to make the best of it has helped me. I’m thankful for each story shared. Some are quite personal. All are matter-of-fact. They’re helping me accept life’s trials. I’m not alone.

I’ve been jotting down descriptions of myself as I’ve gone through this ordeal: disbelief, joking, frustration, depression, self-pity, irritation, slight progress, inspiration. The quick fixes didn’t work. The day the doctor sat me down and laid out the possibility of a year without full use of my arm, I also had an accident with a bus. At this darkest moment, the friends I thought would be by my side weren’t. But out of the blue someone from church called to ask about praying for me and another friend became terribly lost in my neighborhood and found me dejected while sitting on a curb. I wasn’t alone.

As we age, there’s a good chance things will only get worse physically. If you’re like me, you know you’re not cut out for it. I’ve been having too tough of a time. But with everyone’s help and encouragement, I think I’ll make it through. Most likely with those I least expect.