FROM PARIS TO PLASTER OF PARIS

Being a very active person, is how I lead my life. I wake up between 4:30 to 5:00 am feeling vibrant, ready to start a brand new day by running, and complimenting it with swimming twice a week with friends. When the time permits, I would catch the 6:00 or 6:30 am mass or attend the services in the afternoon. 

When I get home, I would go to my laptop to post my running and swimming activities at the DAILY MILE web site. It is on this site that I record my time, my activities and how I felt doing them.  Even during my travels, I would find the time to exercise and log on the site and post my activities.  This is something I look forward to doing every day.


On October 1 my friends and I headed for the trail run event that we registered for.  We regularly join running events every weekend.  But this was an event I did not expect to end in a very different way.  It was an adventure in the life of my running career.  I ended up with an injury.  I reached the finish line of the race assisted by the race marshals because I accidentally twisted my left foot, causing some pain as I tried to continue the run.  

“C’est La vie” was what I would say.  My doctor and good friend Dr. Lumapas found a minor fracture on the small bone of my ankle which required it to be in a cast. I carefully followed to the dot the instructions given to me on how to nurse the fracture on the left leg. This was one time when I gave my full attention to listen intently on what osteoporosis is and why I am prone to it especially during my golden years.


This experience made me realize the world around me.  Small things are just as important as the big things. Minor occurrences and needs are just taken for granted.  Suddenly, I have to plan my movements around the house to give my helpers instructions on the duties for the day.  I maximize the use of the house intercom which I used to ignore at times because I preferred to walk to the kitchen to talk to the helpers.  I even have to plan my trips to the toilet and have to be assisted in taking a bath.  I have to plan ahead on which gate in the mall to enter to make sure that the store I will be visiting is conveniently accessible.  I choose a restaurant that does not require a long walk.  I terribly miss my window shopping activities.  Now, I only shop when it is very necessary.  I recently gave up a trip to Paris this month as the doctor advised me against it to give the bone a chance to completely heal.  Not getting to attend social activities was also something I had to take into consideration.  But most of all, not being able to do my running , and enjoying it with my running buddies is something I truly miss at this time of my life.  I keep telling myself I will be back soon at my best.

 I accept the situation I am in.  I do not fret about it because I know this will soon be over.  I will soon be back to my normal, exciting and busy life that I lead.  This is just a minor injury and God wants to convey to me to slow down a bit.

I love what I am doing.  I do not look at it as a task, whether this is related to my personal or work activities.  But there comes a time in one’s life when things happen for a reason.  I learn from it and gain wisdom from all the humbling experiences of my exciting life.