February 20, 1993
When I woke up, I felt happy. I could go home today! I packed my things so I would be ready. (Well, my Mom and Dad helped me pack my stuff.)
In the afternoon, a nurse helped me into a wheelchair. They pushed me downstairs to the door. I had to put my coat on because it was cold outside. They stood me up for the first time in almost a week. I felt like I was going to fall. My legs were wobbly.
…I was stuck at home for about six weeks…
After a couple of weeks, I was able to stand in my walker. I couldn’t go anywhere. I had to learn to walk again. It was weird!
…My walking improved as I did it more. I practiced in physical therapy. After a while, I was walking as good as I had before the surgery.
Stuck at home. That was the theme for some years of my childhood. At least I felt stuck as a young girl.
The year of my back surgery was the first year I remember staying home for an extended time. I didn’t mind completing the assignments on my own and with the help of a homebound teacher. I also didn’t mind the harder physical therapy routine.
But I missed my friends. I wanted to be in the classroom with them. The get-well cards and sweet notes back and forth brought me cheer when I was tired of the recovery process. Six weeks felt like forever to me as a child.
I adjusted to staying home in third grade. When the time to return finally arrived, I was ready.
A few years later I would learn to push through different seasons of missing school.
There was the year I broke my leg and couldn’t attend the first day of eighth grade. There was the year I was sick for a month in the middle of ninth grade.
I will tell you these stories another day.
If you missed the introduction to this series, go back and read it. Or continue with Part Two.
Laura you had me with your title, your story is inspirational and I can’t wait to read more, the struggles you have been through for one so young has made you wiser than your age. Your website is looking divine by the way. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you, Kath. 🙂 The title popped out as I typed. I’m finding my way with writing as I do it more and more..it’s funny how it works, but exciting!
Completely agree with the above comment. You are wise beyond your years. So thankful you are writing your story.
Emily, your comment made me smile. 🙂 Thank YOU! And thanks for joining me on this journey of writing and figuring out what I’m doing.
“My walking improved as I did it more.” I love that line. There are so many lessons about life tucked away in that sentence.
Thanks for pointing it out! I hadn’t realized the connection to life lessons in that sentence, but you are right. So much improves with practice, even writing. 😉