Being Grateful in Challenging Times

Peaceful Petrie Island Sunset, 9” x 12”, CAN $400

Blog 3


Almost ten weeks after my fall down the stairs, I can now walk small distances with a cane. However, I still depend on the walker in most situations. Walking with the cane still requires a lot of concentration. Since my accident, I have learned a lot about myself and what I took for granted. At the moment, I cannot quickly get up to get something. I have to plan what I need, especially if it is something that my husband has to get for me.

I also realized more than ever before how important it is to look for the bright side and to be grateful. I have to admit that I lost a lot of tears at the beginning when the pain was excruciating, and I was absolutely dependent on others. I thought about the weeks, if not months, that were ahead of me.

There was a day when I refused to eat because I was so down. However, I pulled myself back up and decided that I had to take it one day at a time and be thankful for the things I had. Here is a list of my fortunes:

I was lucky I wore a winter coat, even though I only wanted to let out our dog for a quick pee break.

I was lucky that it was a sunny day, and a couple found me very quickly when I cried for help.

I was lucky to be in a country where the ambulance team, doctors and nurses took excellent care of me.

I was lucky that I did not hit my head or injure my spine. My injuries will heal in time.

I was lucky that I did not catch COVID and left the hospital before the situation got worse. I have to admit that I feared that visitor restriction would prevent my family from coming.

I was lucky that I fell ten days before the holidays to make it home for Christmas and spend time with my husband, our children and pets.

I was lucky that my husband worked from home for the past two years because I needed someone to be there for me at all times. I am grateful that he cares so well for me. Knowing that we are a team has brought us much closer.

I was lucky that a good friend of mine could lend us a lot of the equipment I needed and that my husband could rent the rest in time for my arrival back home.

I was lucky that our house is a bungalow with extra-wide doors so that I could be moved around with a wheelchair (and can now easily fit the walker through the doors).

I was lucky that many people wrote to encourage me and wish
me well. Some friends brought cookies while others sent flowers. All these expressions of love filled me with so much joy.

I was lucky that I could still communicate with family and friends.

Periods of Time, 9” x 12”, not for sale

I was also lucky that I could use my hands and eyes. Although I read more and watched some TV, I felt the greatest contentment when I drew and felted. In my creative world, I still could express myself freely. Due to my increased interest in needle felted paintings, I have drawers full of beautiful colours of wool. The fresh colours lifted my mood and inspired me to further creations. I am glad for needle felting because I won’t make it into my studio and in front of the easel with my acrylic paints any time soon.

The patience I acquired when I cared for our old Australian Shepherd in his last month in 2020, when he got slower and slower but still enjoyed every moment, helps me now when I have to remind myself to accept my limitations. My life moves in slow motion right now, with my body guiding me during this period of healing. I have learned to accept it needs rest but that I also have to keep moving through the pain to get better.

It is easier to be grateful in retrospect, but it helps to celebrate the small successes and keep the next step in sight instead of getting overwhelmed by the whole road ahead.

What difficult situation has turned out to be a blessing for you? Has a creative outlet helped you to get through it?