Getting Along

Somehow, we all get along, day by day or hour by hour. Some days it is the minutes that count. We all have those days, right?

So, on days of illness, we manage to whimper on with the day whether in the office or not. On the job or not. We make allowances for ourselves, and hope others do as well. If not, oh well.

I have watched people with serious illnesses cope with the day-to-day reduction in abilities caused by illness. Old age doesn’t count! But older people do know what I’m talking about.

We see people in the stores or on the street coping with disabilities and doing just fine. Of course, a helping hand is appreciated and totally unexpected.

Rocky has Parkinson’s and it is at an unpleasant stage. Balance, walking gait, even stutter walking is an everyday occurrence. Falling? We take that in stride these days and stand in awe on how little the falls injure Rocky. He manages to fall on soft surfaces or grab nearby sturdy objects to slow his fall. Even on hard surfaces he manages to do that. In the grocery store, people are quick to reach higher shelves for him. Just imagine their surprise when they find out he also has no voice box and either acts out his message or does a lot of pointing. The electro box voice thingy doesn’t always make sounds that are understandable. There is a lot of guessing in our household!

Still, Rocky manages to get along just fine. I’m sure he is used to the awkward moments with others, but all in all, the helpfulness from others, complete strangers, is heartwarming.

In restaurants people help Rocky in the door (I’m far ahead getting a table assigned) and then help him walk to the table. Getting up from the table is a chore, too. Then on with the jacket and then to the door on the way to the car. By then we have caught up with one another and we walk to the car together.

At the grocery store, bag boys at the cashier station fight to accompany him to the car to transfer the goods from the cart to the car. They help him into the car, then return his electric cart for him. A very smooth operation with kind and spirited people.

That is our experience, but others receive the same treatment most of the time.

Jumping to national issues and nations with large problems, it is a wonder to observe how they live with the problems when resources are scant to solve them. Yet, the international community often learns of the problems and lends a hand with knowledge, skills and resources to address the problems.

Little by little, nations and individuals learn to live with their shortcomings and live purposeful, happy lives. This is often forgotten. It does make for a lot of discussions about how the glass is either half full or half empty. The ‘full’ people live happier lives in the face of hardship.

At this time of year, it is good to think on these things. We are grateful for the good, and conscious of the bad. With a ready smile, we can survive the bad with few problems.

November 30, 2022

 

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