Dog Days

 I knew a lady years ago who described herself as someone who would not accept a lot of attention or help when she was sick. She would say that she was comparable to a dog that would crawl under a porch when it was injured and growl at anyone who would come close in order to help it. I've honestly never been one to need much when I'm sick or injured either, so bear that in mind while reading this post.

I sometimes think back to the time when I was at home attempting to get through the worst of times with my motorcycle accident injuries. I was alone throughout the workweek, and I was for a time unable to do much physically beyond standing up in front of my wheelchair for the sake of a short break from sitting in the same position for too long a period of time. The thing is that I sometimes think back to that time period with a subtle sense of fondness. Weird, right?

One of the strange things that seem sentimental to me is a Sherwin Williams commercial that involved a kaleidoscope graphic with a catchy little tune. They would play it on daytime TV back then endlessly, and it sort of became a symbol of the time for me. There's something about a combination of the graphic and the tune that seem so pleasent to me when I think back. Another reminder of the time for me is the TV show Frasier. It was played on one of the networks each weekday for perhaps eight episodes in a row. I didn't watch it that much, but it made me chuckle past the broken jaw and damaged teeth. Another is the candy "robin's eggs". My wife knew that I liked them, so she bought me a huge bag instead of something smaller that might normally fit into an Easter basket. I ate them daily out of that bag for a long time during that period of time. I think back on these things with a sense of fondness, although they all point back to a very difficult time for me. Strange, yes?

I was my wife's center of focus then, and I also miss that to an extent. Things are always so busy now for us both between work and ministry, and I mostly take care of myself now when dealing with physical needs concerning the different points of injury with my body. I've recovered so greatly that I just don't warrant all of the concern and attention any more. I must admit that it was nice to have so much attention payed to me for a time. It made me feel more important and noticeable. But still, life has to go on, yes? Arf.