What a Run
The morning hours beckoned me to the far east garden. There were plants there that had not been tended to since they made their appearance in May. It is very hard to take a hoe in hand for the early weeds as you never quite remember where that certain perennial’s location was last fall right before the freezing temperatures.
I had read my Facebook messages yesterday and I knew that my lifelong friend Sharon was now in the Cambridge Health Care Facility for rehab on a brand new knee. Sharon was in the forefront of my thoughts as I pecked away one square foot of dirt at a time. Whether tending the acre that Dennis and I have, or a window box, I doubt that I would be in any shape for either if I had not had my knees replaced 11 years ago, just about this time in June.
Just as for Sharon, it was not an easy decision for me to make for a surgical procedure that would take me right down to the core of my being. Bone on bone for both knees made the decision to have both knees done at the same time not a difficult one. Why go through the time off work, the pain, and the rehab twice. Just as in giving birth to my children, the pain of the knee replacements is not remembered.
What I do remember is how much I wanted to wake without discomfort, how much I wanted to spend more time with six-month-old Megan before I cried out “Uncle.” Standing and walking until I reached my goal was only a dream. My spirits could very easily take a spiral. Now it is such a blessing to enjoy my coffee in the porch with the morning song birds serenading me. I don’t have to wonder if I can physically stay on my feet to garden until I don’t want to. I know I can. These last 11 years have given me a great run of physically mobility. Let’s hear it for Titanium!
That far east garden did get done – one square foot at a time. With black dirt around the plants being the desired end result, I spread Preen down for continued weed control. The most difficult task was pulling enough garden hose the 260 foot length to water down the Preen. If not watered down, it is all for nothing.
Supper needed to be thought about as I tucked all the tools away. I had all afternoon to think about what to fix, but who can think about cooking when the outdoors offers much more fun.
I hope that Sharon will find the same success in sporting a new knee as I have, and yes, Gail, your mom will forgive you for putting her in a nursing home-type facility. Sharon will work hard to make sure it is for a short stay only.