Shoulders, mountains, crosses

You may have noticed a stunning lack of updates lately, for which I apologize. What happened was, I hurt my shoulder back in October, but wasn't able to have it operated on until last Wednesday. Since that time, typing has been a slow and tedious process so I haven't bothered to do it.

Last week's operation was my first ever surgery, and this is my first major injury. For the most part, I cannot use my right hand or arm, which is a shame because I'm very right-handed. What a way to start off a new semester, eh? But I've learned a whole lot from having to deal with these newfound (but fortunately temporary) disabilities.

I've learned to be more patient in everything I do. Getting dressed is a pretty epic process, especially if I want to wear my sling on the outside of my shirt. Have you ever thought about the directional orientation of buttons and zippers on jeans? Yep, they're made under the assumption that absolutely everybody can use their right hands to fasten their pants. That one has been kind of tricky, and really isn't getting any easier with practice.

I've also had to be more resourceful.I figure that I can carry/move any everyday object as long as I have a place to set it down when I need my carrying hand for something else, like opening a door. I can still take care of myself in the cafeteria, as long as I am willing to make more trips for additional foods, and of course my 2 glasses of milk.

Bad hair days are now an everyday occurrence, and I guess I just have to either accept my inability to fix that, or just chop off all my hair. Thus far, I've been okay with the former, though I may resort to the latter if the mane is still this hideous in a few weeks. My makeup look has also suffered, but I just have to put up with that one too.

The biggest and hardest lesson I've learned from all of this is the ability to accept help. In grade school, junior high, high school, and now college, I've ever been able to ask for help with my work, even if I know I need it. Now I can. Random strangers help me on a daily basis with everything from reaching high places to tying my shoes. Were it not for the graciousness of strangers, I would be hiding in a hole somewhere, missing my college experience.

A lot of this stuff sucks. Yes, I'm in a tremendous amount of pain. No, I can't do most of the things I want to do: play guitar, take a shower, tie my shoes, hug my dad. Yes, the drugs have had some awful side affects -- have you ever puked on a bus? Neither had I, until the vicodin made me do it on my first day of classes.

Despite all the crap, I've mostly been able to grab hold of a positive in every situation. How great is my first round of golf going to feel? Or the first time I get to carry my lunch tray with both hands? Or the first time I can move enough to strum a few chords on my guitar? And without this injury, would I have realized how kind all the people around me can be?

Some of you may not know this, but I am a Catholic, and as such I see tremendous value in suffering. Without some crosses to bear, life would suck because things always worked out. I'd never be able to appreciate tying my shoelaces without having that ability taken away from me for a few months. So all I can do is thank God for the opportunity to see Him in a situation that many would see as only a shitty time in their lives.

"Walkin's easy when the road is flat......The good Lord gave us mountains so we can learn how to climb." -Lonestar