Life insisted - I needed to rest

 Last Friday I bent down to pick up something off the floor and somehow hurt my back.  It almost felt like something in my back, near my left shoulder popped. I couldn't move at all for a few minutes and cried in pain.  Then I struggled to move and realized, I couldn't use or move my left arm away from the side of my body or even move without wanting to cry or scream.  I had my daughter bring me a scarf from my bedroom and together we fashioned a sling for my arm so it wouldn't move and was supported, relieving some pressure in my shoulder.   I spent the rest of the day and evening in bed, propped up on a pillow, wondering whether I should call someone to take me to the emergency room.  In the end I went to sleep early and called a daughter the next morning to take me to the Insta-Care for x-rays
.  Luckily nothing was broken, and I probably just pulled a muscle.  Since I could not move my arm more than an inch or two from my side, the doctor gave me information on how to contact a physical therapist and sent me back home.  On the way home I stopped at the pharmacy and picked up some pain relief patches, and when I got home took another daughter up on the use of a heating pad.  I spent the rest of the weekend in bed, with pain patches on my back and a heating pad wrapped around my shoulder and behind my back.  By Monday I was able to be up and around, I could move my arm several inches away from my body and dress myself without help or extreme pain.   I have continued throughout the week with the patches and heating pad and each day it seems I can move a little easier without as much pain.  

The reason I tell you this, is to express my gratitude.  I guess life decided I needed a few days of rest and relaxation.  Since I wasn't doing it on my own, it found a way to force me to listen.  How often do we, or at least I know I do, focus on other people or concerns around us instead of caring for ourselves or giving ourselves permission to just chill out and relax.  I thought I was doing a good job.  After all I have been wasting time on Facebook reels lately, and even took myself to a movie alone.   So. I express gratitude for an injury which wasn't serious, but painful enough to make me pause my everyday activities and take time for some needed rest. (Daily naps for 3 days.)  I am grateful for unplanned time to think about my writing efforts of late.   I am grateful for those people in my life that were willing to serve and take care of me for those few days, for their patience and understanding.  I am grateful that I have given them skills they could use to care for themselves and for me.