The Snail

I am thankful to be home from the hospital and the rehab place. And I HATE being so high maintenance! I HATE that my Sweetie has to do so much, while I do so little! I HATE that I can't even go out and bring in the stupid newspaper! Which brings me to the story of The Snail. It was a cold, rainy, March Day. One of those awful damp days where winter says, "Oh no! I ain't letting go yet!" There was a bluejay in the backyard. Standing on the wet grass. Looking for something to eat. Along comes The Snail. Slowly crawling through the wet grass. Mr. Bluejay says, "Hey Snail! Where are you going?" "I am going up that cherry tree." "Why are you going up that cherry tree?" "I'm gonna get me some cherries!" "You stupid Snail!!," says the bluejay, "There ain't no cherries on that cherry tree!" The Snail answers, "There will be, by the time I get there!" Since COVID, my Sweetie has taken up crocheting little animals. The latest is a cute little turtle and an adorable penguin. One of her creations is The Snail. The Snail is on the table, right near where I sit. Lately, I have been looking at The Snail. And The Snail has been looking at me. Since my Sweetie is a bright spirit-unlike her husband- my Sweetie crocheted The Snail with a smile. A smile. That's my challenge, for today. For me, "time' is a four-letter word. "Wait" is a four-letter word. I don't feel like smiling, as I struggle to go up the two front steps. As I struggle to limp with this stiff weak leg, that hurts like crazy when I move wrong, I will try to remember the smile on The Snail. I will try to smile, even as I HATE seeing my Sweetie doing so much, because I can do so little. Yesterday a friend sent me this prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I hate, courage to limp one step at a time, and the wisdom to hope that this, too, shall pass." AMEN! I am The Snail. Slowly crawling. Maybe, just maybe, I can even smile, along the way.