Yard Statues and Healing - sure why not?

You may wish your neighbor didn't have a yard full of gnomes or that bird bath front and center or the crooked, forgotten pink flamingo next to the bushes. When I'm driving in or out of my neighborhood I sometimes think "that's cute" or "that's tacky" or did they really just paint their house honeydew green next to a sage green house (but I digress)? Sometimes, those little yard fellas bring us joy. The statues mentioned above or say a St. Francis statue adorning your garden, a fairy, a cross or a little guy fishing. Below is a rabbit that use to belong to our friends who moved to Canada. Once when they were visiting, I pointed out their old rabbit. How sweet it looks nestled under the trees. When they moved they also gave us some of their plants and I desperately hoped they wouldn't notice the plants didn't make it. But their rabbit did! Thank God it's a statue! Yep, that little statue made us chuckle and makes me smile when I see it lying there so peacefully, not a care in the world.

We moved into our new home almost a year ago. It has a beautiful front and back yard and had several yard ornaments that contributed to the charm that drew me to this house. But the former owners took those heavy babies all the way to Wisconsin. All but one! The Roman lady with her flowing gown near the swing. I think I know why they left her. Um, okay, maybe she's a little tacky. But I'm not ready to part with her quite yet.

Something about her makes me smile too. She seems to be claiming her territory. BUT, the main reason I had to write this blog is to to share with you the ultimate of yard statues. It wouldn't be fair to keep it all to myself (okay and the other folks driving by). Two to three times a week I drive a half an hour from Roswell to Canton for water therapy. Most days I want to go but there are times when I don't. I may be having a bad morning and just want to stay in bed. But I begrudgingly get in the van and start the long trek. I may be distracted by my thoughts or by a morning radio show. I may be singing along to a song or fantasizing about what I want to say to that person who wronged me. I may be deep in prayer or in conversation with God. I may even be crying out of frustration or from feelings of inadequacy or falling into the "why me" dance in my head. No matter, happy or sad, distracted or attentive, these yard statues bring me back home and remind me to smile. In fact, it's become a rule! I can't drive by them without smiling. Yep, there they stand. Three large cows grazing by this fenced in pond. For the longest time I thought they were real. When I realized they were fake, I had to pull over to make sure. I mean really, who puts fake cows in their yard? How can you not smile? I love those cows. They're always there to greet me on my drive to the therapeutic pool in the country. That property happens to be for sale. I sure hope it's a package deal and the cows are included!

Each smile brings a little bit of healing. I'm pretty sure smiles in the midst of distractions or sadness or trials bring even greater healing. What are some little things that make you smile? Embrace them!

You might fall, do it anyway!

We took our annual trip to Ormond Beach over Spring Break. My boys love to take me into the ocean. They think it's funny to see me scream each time the water hits me. Other than this sick fascination of seeing how I'm going to react, there's something sweet about them wanting me to share in the experience.

The water can be pretty cold and rough in this area. Every day I made a point of getting in and this is no easy task! My MS affects the right side of my body. My hand has little strength and my leg and foot are like limp noodles with very little functioning. My husband would give me a piggy back ride down to our favorite spot. People jumped in to help and I joked that it takes a village to get me to the beach. Then, I hobbled down to the water with my son and the real adventure began.

I stopped getting pedicures years ago because when someone or something touches my foot, my leg goes into a spasm and it takes on a mind of its own. After I kicked the lady giving me that last pedicure, who had no idea what MS was even after I told her, I decided ugly toes weren't all that bad. So, when the cold water hits my feet, I scream and my leg goes into a spasm. It's a little bit of torture. So why the heck do it? Well, for a few reasons. One, my boys love to see me in the water. Two, I'm fascinated by how my body responds. Three, once I'm totally submerged it gets better. And lastly, in a weird kind of way, although it's a little scary and even a little painful, it's fun!

The first few days weren't too bad. But our last day at the beach the waters were very rough. The surfers were out in full force that morning and the waters remained pretty rough throughout the day. I watched my family as I sat there soaking up Vitamin D from the sun (Vitamin D is very good for MS but heat isn't - hmm??). I had this conversation in my head and sometimes my thoughts would seep out into words so my husband could hear them. "Oh, I don't know, I really want to go out there, it looks fun but it looks really rough, I think I'll skip today . . . Oh no, maybe I'll try it . . . no, I better not. . . maybe if I had a life jacket . . . nah, I'll just people watch today . . . but I sure want a little piece of the action . . . it looks fun . . . kind of fun . . . maybe not that fun . . . some people really shouldn't wear string bikinis . . . geesh . . . oh look at that water . . . wouldn't my son be impressed if his mom went out there in this crazy water . . . but I might make a fool of myself . . . well, it wouldn't be the first time . . . oh I'm going to do it . . . nah, no I'm not." This conversation went on for probably over an hour and then I said it out loud. I said it, and I meant it: "let's do it, let's go in the ocean."

So yea, going into the ocean is fun. Going into the crazy rough ocean with only one functioning leg, hilarious! We crept down to the water. The water hit my toes and I squealed at the initial shock of the cold water. I held onto my husband for dear life. We were taking the boogie board so that I could use it in the deeper waters. I used the boogie board in my left hand to keep me steady and I held onto Greg with my right hand. We began making our way into the ocean when the first big wave hit and the boogie board was knocked out of my hand. Oh no! Greg had to get the boogie board and he would have to let go of me. But I didn't want to fall. Well, it would only be for a few seconds. Greg let go and lunged for the boogie board but right then the wave hit me and bam, I went down! I was laughing hysterically and Greg didn't even know yet. He turned around and asked me what happened. He then tried to pull me up and another wave hit. Now we were both laughing. I couldn't get up. The waves were rushing in one after another. He finally got me up and the boogie board went flying again. Oh Lord! What to do? He says: "don't fall, I'll be right back!" Okay, feet wide a part, steady. I made it this time! I'm sure we made for some good people watching!

We made our way out to the deeper waters. The waves were unforgiving and I got pretty beat up. Greg got into a routine of holding my feet while I laid on the board and rode the waves. I even rode a couple of waves all the way in. It was a blast. Scary! Oh, so scary! But fun! I fell. I got beat up a little. But I lived and it was exhilarating.

So what's holding you back? I was scared but I did it anyway. I'm not always that brave BUT today I was. I'm glad I made that choice to go in the ocean. How about you? What are you going to do despite that little voice? Go for it!