Today is one of those rare “rut days” for me. It’s a day when you feel like you have slid down a mud slide after a heavy rain. You can’t get a grip. You keep slipping.
I could blame the ‘rut’ on the 10” dump of snow that we finally got. Believe it or not, we haven’t had enough snow to use our snowplow since October 2015 – and we live in Alaska. We are used to snow 12 months a year. No snow is uncanny! And so came in Spring 2016…. But the real reason for my rut/mudslide has been my denial/difficulty (especially as an occupational therapist), of losing more of my independence. Knowing that driving a vehicle is a thing of the past is humbling. (Lord knows I don’t want to hurt anyone!) But now I also have the distinction of being labelled a dangerous fall risk. These words were added to weight lifting limit of 8 pounds, and no working with sharp utensils or hot items (due to neurological deficits). These were/are hard words to hear. Yet, deep inside, I know they are true. Maybe you have had to tackle these issues yourself, or with someone you know. It’s not easy. So this is my choice – to be constructive. I will work at clearing my mind of the word I can’t. I choose to be humble and ask for help. (This is much easier said than done!) I choose the word can, and focus on what I can still do. I will work hard at not getting frustrated at my short term memory loss when others get frustrated with it. I can still walk (with my walker!) I can still do the laundry (oh joy!) I can still bug my husband (a perfected art after 40 years!), and I can enjoy the new snow on the Talkeetna mountains where our slice of Heaven on Earth sits at the base of. And, I can write! (Aren’t you lucky?!) Lastly, and I think most helpful beside first my faith, is I I can be constructive by choosing humor. If you don’t believe that is the best medicine – not just ‘laughing’ but ‘getting it’, (aka: humor) Google YJHTL or David Naster. Be constructive!
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AuthorCare Tuk is a nationally known speaker, educator, and retreat/workshop leader. She has been a school, hospital, and home health occupational therapist for more than 30 years. She has been named as a Top Business Woman in America and recognized for her work with youth, disability outreach and awareness, and the American Cancer Society. |