Dear Reader,
I was in a grumpy, poor-me mood because my foot was hurting--again. Two weeks ago my doctor gave me a prescription to clear up the inflammation, but I might as well have been swallowing M&M's twice a day. Last week he injected a shot of cortisone, but it hadn't improved.
Since the pain in my foot wasn't responding to anything, I decided to take charge and go about my usual routine. I'd show that foot of mine who was boss! Pain, I could tough it out. So my husband and I headed out on our usual morning walk. I did decide to walk a little slower. I didn't want to insult my foot. When you're negotiating--even with pain in your foot--the best outcome is when everyone feels they've won. But halfway through our walk, I realized "the other party" in this negotiation, wasn't happy at all--my foot was killing me.
Sitting on the side of the road, while my husband walked home to get the car, I was feeling grumpy--really grumpy and I started imagining all sorts of depressing outcomes. The doctor can't figure out what's wrong, I'll never be able to go for a simple walk again, I'll have this problem forever, this foot thing is hopeless...but then a car stopped in front of me.
I'd noticed the car a few minutes earlier when it passed by. I assumed the man and woman in the car were checking out houses for sale in the neighborhood, because they slowed down a little farther down the street, sat a minute in front of a big house, and then continued on. But a few minutes later, when they circled around again and stopped their car in front of me, I realized their topic of conversation hadn't been houses, it was me.
"Excuse me," the woman on the passenger side was leaning a little out the window, "my husband and I noticed you, and we just wanted to make sure you are all right." Both she and her husband had genuine, caring smiles on their faces.
"I'm fine, thank you. I got a cortisone shot in my foot the other day, but apparently it didn't take. My husband is walking home to get the car. I really want to thank you for stopping."
After the couple left I realized my mood had changed. The little 'why me?' and 'I'm sick of this foot problem'--instantly all of those feelings were insignificant to the kindness of strangers. The more I thought about it, the more amazing it was. One simple little question from two people who were generally concerned, one little polite gesture--changed the rest of my day. Sure, my foot still hurt, my situation hadn't changed, but my mind set had.
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Suzanne Beecher
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* Congratulations to the winner of the Bubble Wand Giveaway, Deb DeNardo.
Congratulations to these recent book club winners: Lonnie E., Donna O. and Janet H., winners of The Treeline by Guest Author Ben Rawlence. And Fran S., Angie G., and Sharon B., winners of Funny Farm by Guest Author Laurie Zaleski.
AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.
KIDSBUZZ: For kids 8-12, especially kids who are into the environment and think about plastic pollution, check out Elaine Dimopoulos' TURN THE TIDE, "a heartfelt story highlighting activism and showing how change does not come easily" and simply a great kid read. (Kirkus Reviews). For a chance to win a free copies, to talk with the authors, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.
This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.
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