Blood, Sweat & Tears *(with a bit of Grace)

A week ago at this time I was in Paradise looking forward to a sweaty week of getting the ranch pretty for a wedding. The next day I was in a helicopter over Flathead Lake. Not much sightseeing on a life flight however.

Blood

Not much use in going over the gory details. X-rays of the compound fracture will be kept for the scrapbook but my mental image was of a Far Side cartoon called the Boneless Chicken Ranch with my foot draping over at a strange angle. (For the younger generation; think of Harry Potter in need of Skele-Grow)

  

Sweat

I had already invested a lot of sweat into making the ranch look pretty for the upcoming wedding. If asked if I would be ready on time I would say ‘no sweat’ knowing that things have a way of working out. I sweated out anesthesia chemicals in the days following three surgeries and would love to attend Fred and Alice Nicol’s sweat lodge again for some extended healing.

Tears

Physical pain is a lot easier to deal with than emotional pain. My primary tears once I knew I would survive were for the attention I would be drawing away from my Son’s wedding and the real possibility that I would miss the ceremony. Tears still are coming easily. They vary from self pity to gratefulness for Chris’ ongoing support. (today is our 30th anniversary)

Grace

It’s not my head. Actually that is among a list of things that I am grateful for in light of the fall but it not what I mean by Grace. I mean the Grace by which God fills our human suffering with divine presence.

Certainly I practiced prayer over many years but was presently surprised how quickly and effectively I could call on those centering meditative prayers to manage pain and maintain perspective. I have no real fears of the future. This incident is just that little pebble in my shoe that dares me to walk a broader path.

Watch me walk

And when we both have had enough
I will take him from my shoe, singing
"Meet your new road!"

Then I'll take your hand
Finally glad
That you are here (you are here)
By my side