Beyond the big picture...

Day 53
Thursday

LIFE.

With only 4 letters and 1 syllable you wouldn’t think it could be such a heavy thing. But lately I find that when I use the word I get caught in a grim Big Picture with that somber syllable beating a solemn echo. In the silence between the sounds come hasty fatalistic conclusions composed by a mind panicking by this new rhythm. Life used to be l i g h t and up beat, Katie bouncing through life loving the daily dance. But a change in mobility, an addition of metallic limbs and the music stops. Walking with crutches in a city is a challenge I hope no one else has to experience. Especially a tourist hot spot. The tiny streets (at times with wonderfully uneven cobble stone) allow for few people, much less people walking with 2 crutches. But just when I’m deafened by the depressing change little voices break in and remind me to be light.

I can’t say technology and I have a very chummy relationship. My father can attest to our tumultuous relationship over the years (problems with Wifi more fickle than a picky eater, dropping my ipod in the toilet, managing to cause my phone to freeze and the occasional apocolyptic computer crash). BUT for all the grudges I hold against all things electronic, it finally cut me some slack and became an endearing enabler. I had the pleasure of skyping with my little cousins, Carter and Ellie just after they woke up. I was chatting with the parentals when little voices chirped up in the background, “Good morning Uncle Rob” and my parents spun around to see two little onsie clad munchkins sleepy eyed and messy bed-headed. Following my parents cue they wished me a “Good morning Katie woo!” Carter proceeded to regale me with a piano concert featuring Jingle Bells and a dance accompaniment by his little sister. I can’t say the rest of the day I had much reason to smile but that little moment kept me smile hours later.

And it reminded me to celebrate my luck in being so loved. While I’d have plenty of time to sulk about a broken foot, I also had the chance to be a witness to innocence and grace. What a rare opportunity. So fighting off the bad moods I’m smiling, knowing that I am so blessed in endless small ways.