This past week I injured my lower back, ahem, a.k.a. buttocks or bum as my 6 year old would hysterically call it. I was in a tubing accident while reluctantly zipping down a steep sheet of icy snow, screaming at the top of my lungs, holding onto not much more than a big rubber donut, only to hit my derrière on an icy speed bump meant to slow me down. Slow me down it did! For almost a week now! For the first 24 hours I was lucky if I could shuffle my way to the bathroom and back again. The next day, I could go up and down a flight of stairs and slowly but surely I’m able to do more for myself each and every day.
At first, this hindrance was not welcomed into my life with much acceptance. Me, Moi, of all people, seriously, I have triathlons to train for, bike rides to get ready for, not to mention the other one million things on my to do list that just couldn’t wait….. unless, they could????
My Mom was gracious enough to come and stay with me for 2 whole days; of course Nate had to be out of town those 2 days so I was dependent on her to care for me. She wouldn’t let me move a muscle, she helped me dress (cute when your 3, not when your 41), she made meals (graciously vegetarian and all of the other pain in the a$$ “special” accommodations for Moi), she cleaned my clothes (folded my underwear), she cared for my daughters, iced my bum, she sat with me endlessly while I tapped away on my computer trying to catch up on things that I could do in the supine or side lying position. She truly catered to my EVERY need and that of my family. In truth, it was nice having her take care of me and everything that is engrained into my typical day. My typical day, my typical to do list survived without me for a few days, is still surviving with less than perfect attention and you know what I’m okay, and it’s okay. I didn’t spontaneously combust, my muscles didn’t dissolve into dust, and I will still be able to do all that I have planned for this aging body of mine this summer. No panic necessary!
As I was getting dressed today, by myself, I realized that I will miss my Mom this week. I will miss the down time, the space between me and my to do list, the time off from meals, cleaning, and all that is involved in my ordinary days. What I will miss most are the mindful moments I spent with her on my couch watching HGTV, drinking smoothies (yes she made vegan, raw smoothies for me every day and drank them with me), chatting about how she thinks I’m addicted to my computer (of course I was last week, what the heck else could I do), and just her quiet presence in my home that ALWAYS seems to make EVERYTHING better!
Slow down, take time to put space between you and your autopilot life, enjoy your mindful moments with those who mean the world to you, truly savor your time, everything else can wait. No need to wait until you are forced to do so. Give yourself permission to take a break once in awhile. Oh, and you may want to strap a pillow to your keester if you go tubing!! Or maybe not!