Grateful

Be grateful even through life's aches and pains

 

This morning I woke up very stiff, with my hips and back hurting.  I have been helping my In-laws move, and between lifting boxes, going up and down stairs, and carrying heavy things, I had made myself sore and exhausted.  Instead of complaining about being sore, I began to be grateful.  Ten years ago, I was confined to a chair.  Ten years ago, I was told I would never use my arm again.  Ten years ago, I couldn’t even lift a shoe box, and now I can do pretty much anything that I want to. 

 

Before that time and that accident, my attitude about my aches and pains would have been very different.  Sometimes we must have something taken from us before we appreciate it.  When I was confined to that chair, it was very lonely.  It was extremely hard, because I did not know when or if it would ever end.  I spent a year of my life doing physical therapy.  And, three surgeries and an artificial elbow later, I was able to have function of my arm again. I did something that the doctors said couldn’t be done. I regained the use of my arm.  Having that accident changed my life. 

 

But probably the most significant change occurred in my spirit.  I learned that I was a lot stronger than I ever imagined.  I learned that you don’t have to listen when doctors tell you something is impossible.  But probably the most important thing I learned was to be grateful.  Be grateful that you can get up in the morning.  Be grateful if you have one person in your life that loves you.  Be grateful when you have aches and pains, it means that you are still here. 

 

Life is very funny in the lessons it teaches us.  Now, I often forget about that time in my life. I go about my days and take for granted that I have use of my arm. I even forget that I have an artificial elbow.  Because I am not in pain anymore, I look back and remind myself of how far I have come.  I remember where I was and truly appreciate where I am now.  Without that accident, I don’t know that I would be in this space.  Sometimes out of tragedy comes great change.  The change comes and we can either resent it, or be grateful for it.  I choose to be grateful.