Enjoy What You Can Do.


I called Aunt Margaret again on Saturday. It’s been about a month since I last called her. Each time I talk with her she says the same thing. She’s ninety-six and can’t do anything anymore. She said her right leg hurts and the pain medication doesn’t help it. She’s not allowed to do anything for herself. She is helped o the bathroom and anywhere else she wants to go.


She told me it was hard for her. Her mind is good and she remembers doing things for herself and wants to be able to do that again. She wants to be outside and work in the garden. She said her son Lou in Germany is only 72 but he can’t even walk a block.


Our calls have gotten into this routine. She tells me she hurts. She wishes she could take care of herself. She just watches TV all day. It’s too much trouble to try to go anywhere. Her family is afraid she will fall and they don’t let her do anything by herself.


When I get off the phone I appreciate more what I can do. I see those things that are getting difficult for me and I know that I may someday end up like her.


We all believe that we are going to stay healthy, not lose our minds and die peacefully and painlessly in our sleep at a ripe old age. But most people don’t.


So enjoy what you’ve got. Revel in the fact that you can go outside and hunt owls or have a garden or just be able to drive. Even the simple act of going to the bathroom with no assistance takes on a new light.


I temporarily lost the ability to do some simple things with my torn rotator cuffs. I learned from that experience to appreciate many simple daily tasks. Each time I put on a belt, put on or take off a shirt, take a shower, dry myself with a towel or put on deodorant I marvel at how easily I can now do it. I am once again able to sleep on my side. I can take long walks. I can drive. I can use power tools. I can care for the yard and the garden.

So appreciate what you can do and work hard to keep what you have. There are too many people like my Aunt Margaret who can only wish and remember.