One year

 

I am approaching my second birthday here and I realized today how far I've come. Not all at once and still not completely where I'd like to be, but so much better.

For one thing I can now shower without rushing through it and going straight to bed for fear my back will begin to go into spasms. Now I can do what any normal person would do -- just move on with my life.

I am cooking a little more. My freezer is full and my refrigerator looks like someone actually lives here. I have condiments, vegetables, and other assorted things in it.

I am painting again! And this is the thing I enjoy most of all. Whether I am making birthday cards for my children and grandchildren or paintings that people have requested, or even for me, I am dabbling in the arts again. Just dabbling, but that's all I've ever done.

I am able to do my own laundry and cleaning and even though it is stressful and wears me out, it gets done regularly.

I have worked out a sort of social system that works for me. I am nearly a hermit. I enjoy my own company and am not lonely if I'm not surrounded by people, but once in a while it is nice to do something with family and I have my sister, my nephew and my brother to do things with.

I have my new orthotics and in some ways my feet are much better, but there is still some adjusting to do. I've been hobbling for over a year and it's only been a week, so I have great hopes. 

I am happy here.