Adaline is one now. Her world is just fine unless she is hungry or tired. Then someone takes care of her. No one expects her to be self-sufficient. What does she have to be snotty about? The one-year-old is usually quite content.
In a year, she will be 2. Things will be different then, I think.
Disability came as a surprise for me after my knee replacement surgery a year ago. I expected to hurt and hobble. I didn’t know I would need help with everything, including going to the bathroom and bathing (which Mike insisted I do daily so my incision didn’t get infected). I appreciate my husband’s patient and loving care through those weeks.
I wasn’t always gracious. My inner two-year-old raged and cried and temper-tantrumed more than a few times.
I couldn’t put on a pair of pants by myself because my knee wouldn’t bend.
“Let me help.” “I do it.”
I had to use a walker to get to the bathroom and then I had trouble standing up.
“Let me help.” “I do it.”
I couldn’t stand up long enough to fix anything to eat.
“Let me help.” “I do it.”
I will be sympathetic when Adaline says “I do it“, even if she can’t.
My knee is functioning well. I am grateful daily for what I am able to do on my own.
I can take my own showers and go to the bathroom alone and even put on my pants easily. Maybe one day that won’t be the case. I do wonder if I should have long-term-care insurance.
Today, just for today, I did what I wanted. My inner two-year-old is very grateful.
Amma Ponders 