They say everything happens for a reason…We may not always know why at the time, but the “Aha!” moments appear eventually.

It has been very frustrating being on crutches… If you read last weeks article, you’ll know that I tore my Achilles tendon, only 25% of it, so no surgery, but crutches and rehab for six weeks.

I’ve learned a lot in the past two weeks. Firstly, I have never realised how many stairs there are until you’re hobbling on crutches. Good grief!  I’m not just talking about the staircases; I also mean the little steps, one at a time; maybe four at a time. Normally you just step right up or down them and carry on. I can’t just do that now.

I didn’t really think about how much I take mobility for granted. . I get frustrated because I just want to get up and go and it’s not that simple now.

Normally if I want to pop into the shops quickly, it’s no problem; I don’t even give it a second thought. It now takes longer to get out of the car, get the crutches stable and then into the shops. I’ve taken for granted being able to carry a basket or push a trolley. Holding onto crutches doesn’t allow you to hold items or a basket or carry shopping packets out.

I’ve taken for granted being fit and able to exercise. The irony is now that I can’t, it’s all I want to do. I see people running on the Promenade or just briskly walking and I wonder if they appreciate that they can?

It’s all the little every day things that I have certainly taken for granted.

It has been seriously challenging, but I also know that I’m on the mend and will eventually put my crutches aside and be able to do all of this again in a few weeks time, if not sooner. It’s made me really think about those who can’t; those who are wheelchair bound or use a walking aid every day. I don’t want to take my health or mobility for granted again.

On the plus side, it’s made me slow down. I had never noticed how fast I walk and how much I missed. This has made me actually take everything in as I walk by. I notice things I ordinarily whizz by. I’ve noticed the freshly painted bakery on the corner, the new sign above an antique store, the sweet flower seller with the twinkle in his eye and crooked grin, the little old lady feeding the seagulls – apparently she is always there and I hadn’t noticed her until now.

It’s really made me think that sometimes we get so caught up in our “To Do” lists and are in such a hurry, that perhaps this is why we feel as if the world is spinning faster and the year is flying by… because we are.

I’m on the mend, resting my leg when I can and looking at life a little differently and taking it all in.

Everything for a reason, indeed.

Love,
Bailey