Beautiful Crazy Life By Emily Umbdenstock
It’s incredible how the human body is. That it could do so much. That it can go beyond the everydayness of life; That it can be extraordinary and powerful, and harbor a spirit of hope and pure will. -Lynne Cox
Jess C. Scott famously said, “The human body is the best work of art.” Well, neighbors, isn’t that the truth?!? Like most moms out there, I often find myself watching my children and asking, “How on earth did I create such perfect specimens?!?!” I’m continuously filled with awe and wonder, not just by the site of their delicate features and flawless little physiques, but also by the way in which they float about the world with a kind of carefree confidence in and unawareness of their bodies. As children, we tumble and play with reckless abandon. We leap without looking and cartwheel on the beach. We slide into home and wrestle with our siblings and bend and twist ourselves into the craziest of shapes and the wildest of positions. When we fall, we bounce back up oblivious to the mechanics involved. Ahhhhh to be young again…
I can’t pinpoint it exactly, but sometime in my early 40s I seemingly woke up one morning and realized that things had changed. Gone now are the days of exercising without properly stretching first. I think twice before I hop on the sled with my daughter or agree to ride the roller coasters with my sons. I’m more cautious; I’m tentative…well, because I have to be. Oh, my fellow New Canaanites, maybe you too can relate…things are just not what they used to be. It takes longer for me to recover from a late night out. I experience random aches and pains of which I often have no idea the cause, and, sometimes, dare I say it, I feel a little stiff when I get up in the morning. Colds and flus linger longer and the idea of engaging in the risky activities I once enjoyed (sky diving, bungee jumping…I pretty much did it all) is absolutely out of the question. I mean, when did this happen?!? I’m still 25 right?!? I’m a cool mom…I’m young and fun and a little bit wild…why, oh why, can’t my body keep up?
Well, I’ve had a lot of time over the past few days to reflect on the physical limitations that accompany middle age as I sit on my couch, unable to walk without crutches. The most ironic part of the whole situation is that I’m not even really sure how the heck I injured myself. And as I elevate and ice my leg in the hopes to speed up my recovery time, I am trying my hardest not to feel totally pathetic.
Well, after a few days of wallowing in self-pity, overwhelmed by frustration that I can no longer get from point A to point B unassisted, I have finally decided that I have to snap out of it. In the grand scheme of injuries and illnesses, this is, after all, a relatively minor issue. I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and take a moment to reflect. It’s high time to appreciate this body I’m in and all that it does for me, and to start treating it with a little bit more compassion and respect.
The truth is, I’m not in my twenties anymore, and I can’t expect myself to perform as if I am. My body is still a true miracle. And, sometimes, our bodies have their own way of forcing us to slow down and take a moment. With each passing year, we all are faced with new health challenges of varying degrees with which we must cope. And we need to slow down and listen to the signals we are receiving. It’s important to look at our scars as a reminder of everything we’ve surmounted in the past and trust that, this too, we shall overcome. Whether it’s a sprained wrist or a serious illness, the human body is a self-healing organism that has the miraculous ability to repair and regenerate.
We are all going through our own struggles, for injuries and sickness are just a part of this beautiful crazy life. As a community we need to grant ourselves and others grace, for everyone is fighting a battle that others often know nothing about. So, if you too are wrestling with a minor ailment or battling a more serious health condition, you are not alone. We’re all hobbling along; sometimes our difficulties are visible and sometimes not. Health is wealth, and we’re all fighting the same fight. After all, we may not have it all together, but together we certainly have it all! Stay healthy New Canaan!
