I posted this on a writer's forum I visit from time to time Finding Inspiration in Front of You I recently started a new job, second perhaps eventually third job. Let's hear it for Amerikan retail...having to cobble together three or four jobs to equal full-time employment. But anyways it's another paycheck. It's a physical job. Unloading pallets, heavy boxes and bags, on your feet for 6-9 hours at a clip. The upside is my fitness tracker is giving me happy numbers. The downside is that at fifty two there are parts of me hurtin' that I didn't know I had. So there I am this morning. Eight AM and I can't sit still too long or I will be out like a light on the break table. Then a co-worker came in. A little person, my daughter is about 5'2 so this woman maybe would stand a bit higher than her waist. She had a leg brace and apparently a touch of the flu. But she kicked butt with her duties. Out of the corner of my eye I saw her climbing ladders and step stools to reach the same places I was cleaning without effort. I wouldn't say anything because it wouldn't come out right. But she so inspired me. I'm just older with creaking body parts. But watching her gave me a glimpse of carrying on with real disability. I mean yeah my pain is real. But small potatoes in comparison. What is the expression? "Man Up"...Yes that's it, that ankle might hurt like a sonofa but you know the burn will level out eventually. That woman was just awesome. In turn I can inspire my special needs kid with such a story.
That is just it Leslie. However much you hurt/are tired/have had enough, along comes someone like this little person who shows you that her/his problems are real and forever. OK so my physical disabilities are real and forever and gradually worsen over the years, but then I look at someone like Stephen Hawking and think what on earth am I complaining about? That writer's forum sounds interesting - is it just somewhere to post your own writing or is it for discussions about "mainline" published writings?
http://www.writingforums.com/forum.php It seems to be open for anyone. N' like you say, a hubby with Parkinson's and a kid on the autism spectrum...But then I look at a woman down the way who owns a bookshop. Her son is maybe a decade older than my Emmy. But at 13 she can talk, spell, read, dress herself. feed herself, dial a phone number. Basic stuff...but that woman's son can't do that and probably never will. You have to be grateful ya know?
