Jewish musings, Thursday, Jan. 4

[gazelle18]

What’s on your mind — how to make kugel? This week’s Torah reading? Life goals? Prayer? We are all engaged in weight loss/weight maintenance journeys and we are all Jewish or at least interested in Judaism. We like to eat, we like to discuss. It is our goal here to provide each other support on our journeys, to share experiences, to call on our rich cultural heritage and texts, and to help each other grow spiritually.


Some of us take weekly turns starting the thread:


Frieda (hopefully)?
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy




And for those of you that stop by to read this thread without posting — you are welcome to, but you are also welcome to chime in. Don’t be shy!

[gazelle18]

Hi everyone and thanks for your good wishes and suggestions! My procedure went fine, and the anesthesia on my leg is still going strong so currently I’m fine. I’ll be back in the morning with a topic.

[gazelle18]

So, I have a big clunky hard cast on my foot, which will be on for 2 more weeks. Then a soft boot for several weeks thereafter. I’m using crutches, and will likely get one of those knee scooters . Everything, from brushing my teeth, to getting off the toilet, it’s a commotion. This is new for me.

24 hours in, and I already have new respect for people with disabilities. My disability is temporary; it’s hard to imagine a life of dealing with these challenges.

Are there people in your life who have physical disabilities? What’s your experience here?

[peachymom1]

There's a man I see regularly at the gym who has a prosthetic leg. Sometimes he walks on it and sometimes he rides on his scooter. I'm at the gym from 5-6:30 a.m., so he's there at that ungodly time too. Sometimes when I wake up on gym days and think about snuggling up with DH and forgetting about the gym, I think of this man and get up and go anyway. If he can overcome whatever he's gone through and still get himself to the gym that early, then so the heck can I.

I've never talked to this man and don't know anything else about him, but he serves as a role model for me.

[louise]

Anytime I have had an injury I've had similar feelings. You become so aware of the effort it takes to move this or that - or that getting up from a chair you need to push down on your feet. There are morning brachot where we thank God for the tiniest body functions. We are a miracle. The other miracle is that yoou will heal. You will be not only okay but better than you were before.

[lee058]

Good afternoon/evening everybody. Hope you are all well and SAFE! Please pray for Israel.

gazelle18, Glad you're doing well! Things will be difficult, but talk with us and we will support you.

Re today's topic: I use a walker and have a handicapped parking placard for my car. Do I consider myself disabled? Yes and no. There are so many people who are worse off than me. OTOH, I have a hard time just walking, and especially climbing stairs (which I do with a cane and hanging onto the bannister).

I try not to complain, but it can be hard not to.

What do I do? I pray constantly. I don't know any formal prayers; I just ask God to help me.

I would be happy to take painkillers, and don't care if I got addicted. However, that's not going to happen.

Have a peaceful night, Lee

[hollygail]

I'm not sure there's anything I can add to what others have said. We're all here to support you, Lynne.