Writing 101 Day 4: (part 3)… other things gained
As far as some things this experience has taught me. Slow down! Don’t rush! I’ve had to move slower over the last few years. I’ve witnessed the way those who don’t walk fast enough are rushed around and almost pushed aside by everyone in such a hurry.
Did I used to be like that?
I’ve been on the way to the checkout stand in a grocery store hobbling on crutches and using the shopping cart as my second crutch only to have someone in such a hurry rush to be in front of me -not realising or caring how much pain it was for me to even get to the line let alone stand in it.
My speed has finally picked up. I can walk (without any crutches) into a grocery store now and don’t have to park in the handicapped spot to do it. I have learned to be patient and gracious. I want to think I always was but now, every time I pass someone who is moving slower, I make sure I am passing them with respect and care and certainly don’t place myself in a position to make their situation harder.
I know I am a better person for having had to slow down. A loss of true mobility that I am seeing regained has given me appreciation and gratitude for so many of those simple things we take for granted. The walks on the beach with my dogs is a highlight of one of the things my mobility and I enjoy but the grander picture of walking at all is something I no longer take for granted!
(Assignment from Writing101) – Part 3
Write about a loss: something (or someone) that was part of your life, and isn’t any more.
Today’s twist: Make today’s post the first in a three-post series.
I am very inspired by your post here. I know I am often “in a hurry” when I could easily just slow down and smell the roses. I have an extremely slow husband, his dad even nick-named him Mosey because he’s been slow his whole life. It drives me crazy because I have been “fast” all my life. Funny, most of my early elementary reports cards even have hand-written notes from my teachers saying, “Mary needs to slow down. She always has to be first to finish” (etc) I am very inspired by people whom I see that have a peaceful affect about them. They stand out in a crowd and some even stop me, dead in my tracks, total strangers who have such a sense of peace and love and goodness about them I feel humbled immediately just to come in contact with them.
I think humility is the most awesome of the graces. I think your experience and the way you’ve written about those in our midst who have special needs and need our respect and carefulness is something we all need to remember. I was my mother’s care-taker for five years; she lived to be 94 with growing Alzheimer’s in the end. I, too, developed a different sense about special needs people from being with her.
Thank you very much for taking the time to comment. I think in general life is trying to catch us all up in the hustle and bustle of ‘busyness’ & ‘hurry’ -rushing around and then wondering what did we really accomplish. My dogs help give me pause to enjoy their carefree joy and the sunsets remind me of the beauty around us. When we can notice the beauty around us and be grateful for the small things then perhaps too we take the time to as point out have the humility and grace to care about others. A constant lesson to be learned and remembered.