As 2013 began, I felt deep in my soul that more than anything else, the Lord was asking me to rest.
Physically.
Mentally.
Emotionally.
Spiritually.
I have learned much about rest in this last year - but in the last week and a half I have been forced to take rest to a whole new level.
Thanksgiving weekend I slipped and fell. As soon as I had fallen, I knew I fell really hard. Yet took a few days for the severity of the fall to fully sink in. I lived in limping denial on Sunday. Sure I was sore, I had fallen. . . I should be sore. Monday was Jamison's birthday. I was starting to realize that my pain was not at a normal post-fall level, but I did not rest too much. I had a party to throw.
By Tuesday, I was no longer denying anything. My tailbone had been throbbing for days. Sitting was terribly painful. Bending was excruciating. Sleep was far from comfortable. I finally realized that rest may be my only choice.
I spent the rest of the week canceling afternoon and evening meetings.
I left work early each day, so that I could
lay on the couch in the family room and ice my "broken butt" as Sierra loved to call it.
I spent many hours watching snowflakes fall and geese fly by the living room window.
My favorite activity was watching baby "Raja" kick.
She kicks hard enough these days that she makes my hand jump.
Every time I felt her kick, I was thankful that although I was not feeling well, she was!
Truth is - I do not rest all that well.
Laying on the couch DROVE me crazy.
It also caused deep aches in my hips.
But it was much more comfortable than most other positions. . .
Sigh.
I was certain that the largest problem was a bruised or broken tailbone. A "broken butt" is fairly untreatable, and there are few meds I can take because of the pregnancy, so rest, baths in Epsom salt, and ice were my best options. I have felt a tiny bit better each day, however, I have not been this totally uncomfortable since I broke my fingers and had them pinned back together after I rolled my car in 1992.
Thankfully, the kids have been good to me. Sierra says, "Oh mom! You are so sad. Let me help." Joshua tuned into the fact that picking up things off the floor was the most painful activity for me. So he runs to my rescue when things fall to the floor. Brenna has volunteered to do other low to the ground tasks like unloading the dishwasher. I am truly grateful.
I finally felt good enough to go to the chiropractor today. Until now, I was too sore to consider letting anyone touch me. She was honest and told me the tissue is so bruised that it will take time to heal - but getting things back in place will speed that along.
Tonight I feel the best I have.
I am not ready to sit on the couch yet - but my back and tailbone are hot and sore rather than throbbing. I think I may possibly sleep fairly well tonight.
I am hopeful.
I am also so thankful
- that nothing was broken
- that baby is fine
- that I have time to heal before going through labor
- I do not have little ones to care for right now
- it was possible to cancel meetings last week
- my kids were sympathetic and willing to help (even if they teased me a lot!)
- the pain is relenting
The moral of the story - if I had rested rather than multi-tasking in the middle of the night I would not be limping now! So one way or another, I will learn to rest!
Ha!
