I was confused by the feast last Sunday of St. John the Baptist in place of the 12th Sunday of the year; so yesterday I thought was week 13. I apologize!!
Today I had the 11am Mass and had a rough time. My leg was bothering me but not because it hurt; I lost the support stocking and couldn’t get the ace bandage on correctly. I was upset and just feeling low.
Joan drove me to therapy. On the way, we stopped so I could buy some underwear and socks. Our housekeeper is away and I have lots of laundry sitting in the corner. It just added to my feeling frustrated.
Therapy went well; although it hurt to do the exercises and the cold wrap at the end, was very cold and made my leg feel cold! I haven’t been cold since 1963!! At the end, they re-wrapped my bandage and assured me that I am doing very well – and that seemed to help my mental state.
Joan brought me a steak and cheese from Ledo’s, which I ate on the way home. That and a coke seemed to help also.
I had exposition at 3pm and just sat at the desk and did “phone ministry” till the 5:30 Mass. Afterwards, I came home to the rectory and inaugurated the chairlift. It had been installed during the day. It is going to be very nice. It is on the main staircase and I just sat down and pushed a button on the armrest and up the stairs I rode. At the top, I swilved around and got off on the landing. It was nice to arrive at the top and still be breathing normally. Then I took a nap.
I am having some soup and then going to bed. I have the 6:30am Mass tomorrow and will be on the altar with Fr. Duffy at an 11am funeral. Then Patrick Mullan is coming to take me out. I do get “cabin fever”! More tomorrow.
I think one of the hardest things were are asked to do is to adapt to pain and illness. I know that for me, I always want to be in the driver’s seat and find that physical limitations, especially with pain, present the hardest times emotionally and physically. Lots of practice has taught me to remember that I am in very little control over most of the things that happen in life. It is much less stressful to “go with the flow” and recognize that there is a reason things happen. Too bad we are not always told the reason at the time it happens. But in hindsight, it always comes clear that times like these occur to help us understand we are called to float on the water, not drive through it!
The heating system continues to be built, rock after rock. Slow but steady. We still are having very cool weather with lots of rain drizzle and fog which is typical for this time of year. I will be happy when I have heat again!
Fr. Maury
Gary and I send you love and prayers that you health is restored, that is one of the hardest surgeries to heal. Our youngest son had it done last summer and he still feels soreness when it rains. Go to as many physical therapy sessions as you can and ice will help…….boy do I sound like a mom…..Gary says hello
Mary Merenda