On Thursday, a friend handed me this slip of paper saying, “This is for you.” I was standing in front of the mirror with wet hair in the YMCA locker room and asked if she could read it to me.  She said no. That wasn’t really a surprise as she attends the YMCA Special Pops day camp and may very well not read. So once I had my glasses, I read these words. If we don’t come apart and rest awhile, we may just plain come apart. I thought to myself this really could be a message directly for me, but I didn’t expect how true and quickly my coming apart would occur.

The next morning, first thing, I was unloading the back of my car to make room for luggage and conference supplies that I would be delivering later that morning. On my third trip to the storage room, I slipped on the cement stoop and fell into the room, hands full with no way to catch myself. I landed on my bicycle with all my weight on the edge of my left foot which was only protected by a soft slipper. That foot landed on the sharp cement edge of the stoop.

Once I realized that my morning plans had been apprehended, I consulted with my husband, who was preparing to go to work. We decided that he would take a sick day and help me carry out my plans as I was organizing a conference, picking up a guest at the airport, cooking dinner for 7 people and would have 3 overnight guests. The next morning, I was to arrive ready to emcee a day-long conference that had been in the making for months. Miraculously we were able to see a foot specialist in short order, get an x-ray, a broken metatarsal diagnosis and fitted for a boot. We picked up the original plans for the day and carried out everything without missing a beat.

Now that the dust has cleared, I am faced with the reality that my usual routine of working out every day at the Y will endure some adjustments. For many weeks. Or months. What is almost an obsession of going to spinning, body pump, pilates, swimming and teaching my class will have to be evaluated and modified. My daily visits to the Y not only provide exercise for my body but social interactions for my spirit. I want to avoid isolation and will be intentional about human contact.  I have a week before my exercise class starts that I teach so I decided today to view this period of healing through a lens of expectation and enjoyment.

I began my day with the Daily Examen App. This practice of contemplation helps me tune into God’s love for me, to offer gratitude, ask for discernment, seek forgiveness, and set a resolution for the day. Following this, I fed my impatient dog and walked out on the deck. The birds are flying, the sun is shining, the grass is turning green, and the flowers are beginning to bloom. I had my breakfast outside and made a list of all I wanted to accomplish today or maybe this week.

I started with a commitment to continue to exercise at home. Laying a towel on the carpet in a sunny spot, turning on some uplifting music, getting my weights and bands, I spent the next 45 minutes doing a variety of stretching to remove the aching muscles developing from my new hobbling gait. Next, I got ready for being outdoors and got out my trusty bicycle. I put a few items in the basket, my water, spare shoe for walking around (I am wearing a boot on the broken foot and a tennis shoe on the other which is fine for bike riding but if walking, I want to have an even shoe height so I need my Dansko sandal) and my little bag holding my phone, glasses, and keys. I decided to wear my helmet for extra safety since I am somewhat disabled and alone. I head down the driveway with the resolve to take my time and enjoy being out in the neighborhood on this sunny, warm morning. I determine to “smell the roses” on the ride. This required stopping every now and then to take a picture to share with you. These camellias are blooming in our yard today.

I rode down the street to a dead end area near the river. In the deep grass, I spot a strange object. Upon further inspection, I find this snapping turtle snuggled into the grass. Another photo op.

As I continue enjoying my morning ride, I heard a dog barking in the backyard of a neighbor friend. I rode by his driveway and found the garage door open. Obeying my morning resolve, I got off my bike and knocked on the back door. He came out and we had a short chat. I’d been meaning to drop by for months since his dear wife died, leaving many of us heartbroken. He had to be on his way so I took a photo and my leave.

I continued along the way, keeping my eyes open for simple pleasures like what I think is a quince bush in full bloom.

I continued to ride the neighborhood for a full hour. I returned home to consult the list I made during breakfast. I prepared to go to the post office to mail a book to a friend,(discovered this branch needed to be urged to advertise their new semipostal Alzheimer’s Research stamp), drop off a borrowed music stand at the church, return library books, drop off conference evaluation forms at another church, and stop by a new friend’s house that I met at the conference to give her some books. Which I did in short order. I’m glad I saved the visit with the friend for last because what I expected to be a few minute visit turned into a 3-hour visit. I hope it will not be our last. We had so much to share. Our caregiving stories which she is actively living, our food choices – she gave me fresh, organically grown turmeric and some of the same, dried and ground and shared recipes and healthy eating philosophies. We both missed lunch because surely I would be leaving any minute. I hope I didn’t wear out my welcome. I do know what it is like to be at home with a loved one, feeling isolated and alone. So I think it may have been as good for her as it was for me.

On the way home, I decided to stop at Costco for strawberries and maybe that cookbook that was just recommended. Wearing the cumbersome boot on my foot, I  tried out one of those electric carts to make my shopping easier. The greeter membership card checker guy showed me how to use the handy vehicle and took a photo before I entered the store.

I decide to make this as fun as possible so off I go. It doesn’t take long to master the controls and soon I am navigating the large warehouse with ease. With my bag in hand, I am able to get my few groceries to the car without any problem. Next stop, the Costco gas station. Then home. I grab a protein bar to quench my appetite and go outside onto the swing in the gazebo for a phone call with a friend who is dog sitting at her son’s house in Huntsville. We chat until suppertime.

This is an account of the first real day of changes due to the broken bone in my foot. I’m treating it like a vacation. Although I have speaking commitments ahead and the start of a new session for teaching my Strength Through Recreation Exercise Togetherness Caring and Health (STRETCH) for breast cancer survivors class, I have a new perspective and determination to learn what I can from this bump in the road. Apparently, I got the message loud and clear by being forced to slow down. I need to rest awhile and come apart since I have just plain come apart. Today was an easy day. I look forward to tomorrow.

” ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.'(NIV Proverbs 3:5,6).”