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Norman Cousin’s, author of Anatomy of an Illness, once stated that he made the “Joyous discovery that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep.” It was my mom’s personality to laugh at life–the good and the bad. On this day she had a good laugh, and finally a couple hours of sleep.
Also, my mom was an educator (coach, boss of the world, etc.) at heart and wanted these posts to act as a “how-to manual” of sorts of resiliency and creativity. The life coach in her would ask you (metaphorically), “How do you roll over in bed when your legs don’t work?”
–Tricia
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During the middle of the night, when I find it difficult to turn over, I sometimes laugh to myself because I don’t want to wake Cliff. It was about three years ago I wanted a headboard for our bed. The irony is I wanted a wrought iron headboard. Really, what cool person wants an old fashion rusty wrought iron headboard? I did! The reason I laugh is that now, in the middle of the night, I can grab the wrought iron to help me turn over. Try turning over in bed without using your legs. It is not easy.
Do you get the irony? Wrought Iron? It is bad when you have to laugh at your own jokes and explain them to others for fear they won’t get it. I am blessed because some time ago, I wanted, not necessarily needed, a new headboard, and that headboard is a blessing for me today. Do you think God knew such a simple thing would be so important?
Another blessing is this fantastic group of women I get to call my sisters, who took their precious time to be part of a Bible study in my home this past Saturday. When I was diagnosed 18 months ago with ALS, I really thought my opportunities for ministry were over. It has been one of my greatest spiritual struggles, feeling like I no longer had a purpose, just a fatal illness. However, I have realized God didn’t change His purpose and plan for my life. His plan just looks a little different than mine.
I discovered, my mission is still the same: to love, teach and encourage those within my sphere of influence to seek, find and fulfill God’s calling in their lives. Fortunately or unfortunately for me and those around me, I don’t know, nor have I ever believed in stagnation. In fact, the fear of stagnation is what has driven me to do and try many of the things I have done in my life. Life is about growing, changing, pursuing, learning, desiring, improving, and maturing… I am blessed with wonderful people in my life, and I am thankful they let me(?) push/nag/harass/encourage/challenge them a little, okay, maybe a lot, not to accept the status quo. I think I was born to coach. Maybe I should apologize but…maybe not.
God is good every day.
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