Because I can...
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It’s been a long time since my family has played ball together. Quarantine stole a season and then some. Very grateful to be able to take this selfie.
I’m stronger than I was last time I tentatively stepped out onto the court. In spite of a recent flare. In spite of residual fatigue.
“I’m still getting younger!” I said to my kid. And he was (wisely) silent because I’m clearly aging.
But I ran across the gym and it didn’t hurt. And I thought (not for the first or last time) that I’m glad that I’ve been free to manage my own health care. And to make choices along the way to step into or stay out of the system.
There’s a massive new building being constructed at a city hospital right now. We pass it every week and I’m amazed that we have enough people and needs to fill it.
What is health care? Is it different than sick care? Are we better off now than when the buildings were smaller and the resources scarcer?
The statistics say no. Cancer rates are still high. Overall lifespan is decreasing. Autoimmune disease has reached epidemic proportions. Heart disease, diabetes... it just goes on and on.
This is not a doom and gloom post. Just a “what the heck are we doing?” post. And a “Thank you, Jesus!” post. I will certainly die of something sooner or later. But I owe my life to God...
And every action I take toward honoring His design for my body is a gift given back to Him. I do not worship the body but I care for it reasonably. So that I may serve according to His will.
After we left the gym I was exhausted and sore. Where are you endorphins?! Taking a hiatus this week and it’s fine. But the gratitude I feel is tremendous and I am eager to go back.
Because I can. And I know what it’s like to say “I can’t.”
I don’t want to spend my life counting diagnosis. I want to spend it living. And while visits to shiny medical offices may sometime be necessary, the vast majority of healing happens at home. In the gym. In the woods. In the kitchen. On the couch. On the track. In church. In prayer. With my family.
I’m so darn tired this week. Flares are a drag. Starting again. Always. And always reorienting back to gratitude. Deo Gratias ❤️