Well, I’m back. The surgery on Monday went well – yes, there is a great deal of pain. When the doctor warned me I think I really had no concept of how much surgery on the knee would really hurt! It does, just in case anyone wants to know.
Yesterday, Julie Wright, James Dashner and I, along with Shirley Bahlmann on the phone, were interviewed on Wakin’ Up with Rebecca and Kurt on Utah’s AM 820. Julie picked me up about 6:45 in the morning. There I was in pain and on crutches. There she was in terrible back pain and doubled over. We laughed, shook our heads and headed toward Salt Lake. Why, you might ask, were we doing a radio show? Well, this Saturday we have a great present for Mothers all over Utah, Salt Lake, Weber, and San Pete Counties. I am, in conjunction with Waldenbooks, hosting a Waldenbooks Author Blast! Thirty authors signing their books and answering questions and visiting with people on Saturday, from 11:00 a.m . to 8:00 p.m. So, we went and promoted this event, had a blast and then ran some errands. By the time we returned home, I fell into bed and slept for four hours. I was knocked for a loop.
As I awakened this morning, I remembered I had blogs to do, a state convention to prepare for and some thoughts to put in on a podcast I’ll be co-hosting on Saturday. Did I mention all these events were happening on Saturday? Convention: 8 to 1, Waldenbooks: 11 to 8, and MormonMomCast: 8:30 to 9:30 – I’m not really sure if there are enough pain killers in the world to prepare me for Saturday.
I’m rambling, I know I’m rambling. But I really am circling around to a point. I’m not taking this advice myself (although I really wish I could), but here’s the point: It is important to give yourself time to heal when undergoing surgery of any kind. Thankfully I’ve never indulged in alcohol, drugs or smoking. I’ve led a relatively healthy life and am always trying to pay attention to the needs of my body and spirit. Because of this, and because of the power of the priesthood, I bounced back pretty quickly. I am still in pain, could use a few more days of just taking it easy, but life is life. But to others out there . . . take it easy. You have the right to go to physical therapy, come home collapse and let someone else clean your house, fix your car, do the lawn and cook the meals. It’s alright to let others serve you.
It is, without question, harder to be served than to serve. But there are great blessings in playing both parts. When you allow others to serve you, you allow them a multitude of blessings. When you allow yourself to be served, you learn gratefulness and humility – both of which are critical characteristics in the eternities. It’s not a bad deal all the way around.