analogy

about six years ago this week, i suffered a serious back injury that caused me to miss the first eight weeks of school. those of you who know me understand that i tend not to take too many days off due to illness, so obviously this was no ordinary back injury.

what happened? while moving a window air conditioning unit, i somehow managed to herniate four discs in my lower spine. as a result, i was unable to straighten my back for the better part of two months.

i'm sure you've seen those unfortunate, mostly elderly persons bent over at an almost 90 degree angle as they struggle to make their way down the street. well, six years ago, that unfortunate elderly person was me.

accordingly, i was left a near invalid as i could not stand upright for more than a second or two without experiencing excruciating pain. it was almost comical, to be frank. a grown man forced to lie on his back while the sand slipped through the hourglass day after day after day. in fact, the only time i had occasion to rise to my feet during that dark stretch was to frequent the facilities or to take an occasional bath, with a visit or two to my doctor's office thrown in for good measure. but mostly i just sat on my couch with my feet up and grimaced.

similarly, today i spent the entire day cooped up indoors tending to my sick child. she has a mild temperature and so i decided to keep her inside until her fever runs its course. and because my wife spent the day volunteering at the local film festival, i have yet to taste the fresh air as of 8:39 this evening. i'm not complaining, mind you, but rather just pointing out what i've been up to for the past 12 hours or so.

and so, as i sat on my couch watching my sixth episode of "the backyardigans" this afternoon, i couldn't help but recall that eight-week blue period back in the day. that eight-week spell when i remained shuttered within my home practically every moment of the day due to my injury.

but more importantly, i recall that saturday morning in late october nearly six years ago when i stepped outside on a cool, breezy day and took my first tentative steps towards my rehabilitation. that was the first time i had enjoyed a leisurely stroll since my accident, and i distinctly recall the feeling of complete and utter satisfaction that washed over me as i shuffled my way up and down my street. and the feeling of complete and utter exuberance that enveloped me as i took in all the sights and sounds of my neighbourhood once again.

the point to all this? the other day i met with some truly extraordinary individuals and tried to explain why it is so important to accomplish as many things as possible within our limited run here on earth. i should have simply told them this story.

so trite that it hardly bears repeating



p.s. i did try acupuncture. and physiotherapy. and a chiropractor. and meditation. nothing worked. except time.