A Tale of Two Tims and a Starbucks and So Much More! - June 29, 2019
Monday morning didn’t start out so well. It had been a whole week since I’d broken my collarbone, banged my head, and shredded my right arm and leg – flying off my bike. And I really thought that maybe I could be the exception to the rule. That I could be that one who has a miraculous healing and … Then I looked at my shoulder and arm in the bathroom mirror and things did not look bright and beautiful, and it still hurt like the dickens.
Add to that my knowing that the breath-taking Kathi was teaching Spin and BodyPump at GoodLife that morning and would even have given me a ride, but… I said to Laur. “Do you remember the first time that Cocoa (our neighbour’s dog at 465 Loach’s Rd. in Sudbury) was too old to go hunting with Don and friends in the little converted school bus? And she came and lay down on our front step and cried most of the day? Well, that’s kinda how I feel…”
Off to the Niagara Health System’s Fracture Clinic for a 9 am appointment. And Laur and I were both impressed at how efficient, friendly, and professional the whole process was. We were encouraged to bring a book but only managed to read a few pages. And Dr. Robert was great – happy to answer questions and explain things. And I was so hoping he would say, “You’re coming along in leaps and bounds – you can start physio this instant and go back to the gym anytime!” Instead, my Q & A with him went like this…
We booked my next appointment for five weeks for another x-ray and review. My face was so long by the time we got to the booth to pay our parking ticket that my chin was practically scraping the pavement.
As Laur was backing out the car he saw one of the lads from the parking booth coming toward us. Laur commented to me, “Look at that! He’s carrying a book! Nice to know that some people still read books.” The lad got even closer and Laur said, “And he’s reading the same book I am! What are the chances of that!?” Laur rolled down the window to talk to him and the lad said, “You forgot your book!”
No one can give me a fit of the giggles like my hubs. Not only that, on our way home, while we were discussing a podcast we’ve both been listening to, he, the English professor, said to me, “Oh, what’s that word for when you can’t read and write?” I said, “Illiteracy!?” He said, “Yes, that’s it!” I though he was joking. He wasn’t. I nearly fractured my left collarbone suppressing a belly laugh.
[Ed. I’m a bit discombobulated with all the multitasking since her fall from grace…]
*****
After lunch, our daughter Anna – knowing that I was feeling down – invited me to go to coffee at Starbucks. For me that is pretty high society – close to having breakfast at Tiffany’s. My new source of “downness” was having to cancel (and reschedule only tentatively) a Framily Get-together this Sunday. It’s not just my shoulder that is giving me trouble – I also banged my head pretty hard and I’m having even more trouble organizing anything. By noon I’m “done.”
Anna and I had a riot. I am so thrilled for her because she has come back from a back injury and because she has a makeup, hair, dress style, and personality that is so bright, you can’t miss it. It makes you feel happy just to look at her. While we were chatting a gentleman from “the old country” - where you can still touch “ladies” on the shoulder and tell them how beautiful they are (which he did) - came over and said he could see how much we were enjoying each others company. Aah!
Next up – off to Hospice Niagara to learn that I had indeed passed the Palliative Care course. Yee haw! And could start anytime… But sigh, I had offered to be a volunteer visitor for someone who lives in the boonies. It’s one thing asking hubs to drive me around St. Catharines. It’s quite another to ask him to drive me to Podunk Hollow every week and ask him to wait in the car for an hour or so… Ah well, if I manage not to fall off a mountain or off my bike again, I’ll likely have quite a few more years to help.
On the way home I had wanted to stop at Tim Hortons and get a gift certificate. There are two lovely lads – Tim Sr. and Tim Jr. – who visit weekly the seniors of Hastings Park church in Belleville who are no longer able to go to church. My mom is one of them. Not only that, they often bring my mom special treats like homemade beets and fresh-from-the-kitchen bread. I wanted to send them a thank you note and I loved that I would be getting the Tims a Tim-Card.
But I was so wiped out and my shoulder was throbbing so I said to Laur, “Gonna have to do this another time.” Laur didn’t mind. It’s not an easy feat being chauffeur and chef for Ms. Crabbypants. Got home and checked our mailbox and what to my wondering eyes should appear but a thank you note from a Diagnostic Image service with TWO TIM CARDS! This was because I sent them a card, thanking them for their excellent care. Woo hoo! (Gotta love it. The folks at this health service treat Laur and me like royalty. The government picks up the tab. And I get a thank you note and a gift?!)
Checked my facebook messages and woo-hoo – a very-dear-to-me young couple and their adorable toddler were approved to rent a townhouse not far from us. They’re moving from Toronto to St. Catharines in July. Later in the day I got a facebook message from my sweet Caro. She and her sweets Jer and their dear friend Monty were successful in getting an apartment they so very much wanted to move to. Normally when I say “my cup runneth over” it’s because I’ve slopped my coffee down my front, and onto my computer, the couch and the floor. It’s even worse these days because I have to use my left hand and I have about a 75% success rate of reaching my mouth
And if life couldn’t get any sweeter than this, check out this heartening poem Pastor Doug from my church sent me…
Calamity Jan,
what inanity can
occur by wheeling a chance.
But sanity prevailing,
and you collaring some healing,
you’ll ride again, and dance!
Add to that my knowing that the breath-taking Kathi was teaching Spin and BodyPump at GoodLife that morning and would even have given me a ride, but… I said to Laur. “Do you remember the first time that Cocoa (our neighbour’s dog at 465 Loach’s Rd. in Sudbury) was too old to go hunting with Don and friends in the little converted school bus? And she came and lay down on our front step and cried most of the day? Well, that’s kinda how I feel…”
Off to the Niagara Health System’s Fracture Clinic for a 9 am appointment. And Laur and I were both impressed at how efficient, friendly, and professional the whole process was. We were encouraged to bring a book but only managed to read a few pages. And Dr. Robert was great – happy to answer questions and explain things. And I was so hoping he would say, “You’re coming along in leaps and bounds – you can start physio this instant and go back to the gym anytime!” Instead, my Q & A with him went like this…
- Can I ditch the sling now? No, you have [insert ‘description of how bad of a break it is’ here.] Your clavicle needs to heal and your arm needs constant support.
- Can I go back to the gym? No, you cannot. (Repeat answer to question 1.)
- Can I start physiotherapy? No, not for at least 4 to 6 weeks. (Repeat answer to question 1.)
- What kind of exercise can I be doing? Rotate your arms from the shoulder and squeeze your hands three times a day. (Did not repeat answer to question 1. I guess he thought I was finally getting it.)
We booked my next appointment for five weeks for another x-ray and review. My face was so long by the time we got to the booth to pay our parking ticket that my chin was practically scraping the pavement.
As Laur was backing out the car he saw one of the lads from the parking booth coming toward us. Laur commented to me, “Look at that! He’s carrying a book! Nice to know that some people still read books.” The lad got even closer and Laur said, “And he’s reading the same book I am! What are the chances of that!?” Laur rolled down the window to talk to him and the lad said, “You forgot your book!”
No one can give me a fit of the giggles like my hubs. Not only that, on our way home, while we were discussing a podcast we’ve both been listening to, he, the English professor, said to me, “Oh, what’s that word for when you can’t read and write?” I said, “Illiteracy!?” He said, “Yes, that’s it!” I though he was joking. He wasn’t. I nearly fractured my left collarbone suppressing a belly laugh.
[Ed. I’m a bit discombobulated with all the multitasking since her fall from grace…]
*****
After lunch, our daughter Anna – knowing that I was feeling down – invited me to go to coffee at Starbucks. For me that is pretty high society – close to having breakfast at Tiffany’s. My new source of “downness” was having to cancel (and reschedule only tentatively) a Framily Get-together this Sunday. It’s not just my shoulder that is giving me trouble – I also banged my head pretty hard and I’m having even more trouble organizing anything. By noon I’m “done.”
Anna and I had a riot. I am so thrilled for her because she has come back from a back injury and because she has a makeup, hair, dress style, and personality that is so bright, you can’t miss it. It makes you feel happy just to look at her. While we were chatting a gentleman from “the old country” - where you can still touch “ladies” on the shoulder and tell them how beautiful they are (which he did) - came over and said he could see how much we were enjoying each others company. Aah!
Next up – off to Hospice Niagara to learn that I had indeed passed the Palliative Care course. Yee haw! And could start anytime… But sigh, I had offered to be a volunteer visitor for someone who lives in the boonies. It’s one thing asking hubs to drive me around St. Catharines. It’s quite another to ask him to drive me to Podunk Hollow every week and ask him to wait in the car for an hour or so… Ah well, if I manage not to fall off a mountain or off my bike again, I’ll likely have quite a few more years to help.
On the way home I had wanted to stop at Tim Hortons and get a gift certificate. There are two lovely lads – Tim Sr. and Tim Jr. – who visit weekly the seniors of Hastings Park church in Belleville who are no longer able to go to church. My mom is one of them. Not only that, they often bring my mom special treats like homemade beets and fresh-from-the-kitchen bread. I wanted to send them a thank you note and I loved that I would be getting the Tims a Tim-Card.
But I was so wiped out and my shoulder was throbbing so I said to Laur, “Gonna have to do this another time.” Laur didn’t mind. It’s not an easy feat being chauffeur and chef for Ms. Crabbypants. Got home and checked our mailbox and what to my wondering eyes should appear but a thank you note from a Diagnostic Image service with TWO TIM CARDS! This was because I sent them a card, thanking them for their excellent care. Woo hoo! (Gotta love it. The folks at this health service treat Laur and me like royalty. The government picks up the tab. And I get a thank you note and a gift?!)
Checked my facebook messages and woo-hoo – a very-dear-to-me young couple and their adorable toddler were approved to rent a townhouse not far from us. They’re moving from Toronto to St. Catharines in July. Later in the day I got a facebook message from my sweet Caro. She and her sweets Jer and their dear friend Monty were successful in getting an apartment they so very much wanted to move to. Normally when I say “my cup runneth over” it’s because I’ve slopped my coffee down my front, and onto my computer, the couch and the floor. It’s even worse these days because I have to use my left hand and I have about a 75% success rate of reaching my mouth
And if life couldn’t get any sweeter than this, check out this heartening poem Pastor Doug from my church sent me…
Calamity Jan,
what inanity can
occur by wheeling a chance.
But sanity prevailing,
and you collaring some healing,
you’ll ride again, and dance!