For When You Find Your Ankle Ballooning

Just days ago I roamed the cobblestone streets of Amsterdam, took in the gleam of boats on canals in the late afternoon sun, and sweated my way through the Netherlands, mostly on foot for days on end.

Now, I find myself in Urgent Care, checking on a foot that’s swollen and unable to carry my weight.

An X-ray just to cover the bases surprised the PA as she re-entered the room. A fracture in my toe and fluid swelling in the joints between my tibia and ankle bone has me wrapped in an ace bandage and splint brace, attempting to slide the bulk into my tennis shoe. An appointment with the orthopedic specialist is scheduled for the next week.

Well, this is unexpected.

I’d say, “Such is life,” but this is not something I want to let “flow”. I have a heavy travel schedule in June that involves using my legs. Being couch-bound with my leg propped up is not how I planned to use my time.

What’s happened to me? I hit 40 and my body starts falling apart.

Last fall, it was my calf strain that kept me from being active for months. And now, this. At least I have Alfie loyally laying beside me.

Yet, this fractures my expectations leading up to the beginning of summer, including my birthday. Pun intended. Because what else can I do (after admitting my disappointment and sadness) but laugh at the absurdity of it all? CLEARLY, I am not in control of my life, and there is something to pay attention to here. Maybe it’s a nudge to notice the phrase I have framed on my desk: Rest is not wasted time.

Maybe it’s to surrender (again) my frantic pace and plans and take care of myself. Maybe it’s simply to take it one day at a time, like I have so many times before.

From Europe to Urgent Care – how quickly things can change.

This is the crux, the surprises that slide into everyday life. What will we make of them? How will we respond?

We wait. We obey the professionals. We pray and settle in, believing this will not last. Healing will come, however long it may take. But we believe. And we rest. And we look at all that is beautiful around us. Because there is plenty around us that is beautiful.

Here’s to us who sit and wait, turned inside out by the upside-down life events. I’ll keep hobbling along when I just can’t stay on the couch without at least a quick limp around the kitchen. And I’ll look at photos from the week that brought me wonder and exploration around stunning old towns.

I hope you can hobble along wherever you are, too.