Pain In The Neck
I’ve been getting adjustments at the chiropractor, and as a result, it’s got me thinking about pain. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not the adjustments that cause the pain.
Before I moved here, I was regularly getting adjustments to correct a problem with the bones in my neck. Long story short, when I was a teenager, a benign tumor was removed from between my ribs, and the surgeon who sewed me up, well, he must have missed a few anatomy classes. I’ve got stronger back muscles on one side, which eventually caused the other neck and back muscles to fight to gain balance. Why can’t they all just get along?
Anyway, after I moved here, I just stopped getting adjusted. And the pain came back. But for some reason, I learned to live with it. I’ve gotten familiar with pinched nerves. I’ve learned to move and sleep differently to avoid neck grief. Relieving the pain wasn’t a priority.
Why is it that we can ignore pain and become accustomed to it? And then, when it goes away, we seem to forget that the pain ever existed? I’m going to have to do a little research and get to the bottom of this. I’m fascinated. And for the record, I’m thankful for my new chiropractor and all the pain relief he’s bringing.
P.S. That’s not my neck x-ray. Just pretend.
Home Sweet Home
Arrived in Seattle. Oh my goodness! What an adventure. If I never see another wheelchair I’ll be a happy girl. Mom and I are well…just VERY tired. One flight left to Spokane and we’ll be home in our beds. And THAT is a BEAUTIFUL thing.
It’s All About Sanctification
I’m here in Greece. The journey wasn’t without some drama. I dropped off the rental car in Spokane at 2:00am and made my way to the ticket counter. Alaska Airlines suggested I get to the ticket counter two hours before departure to secure my seat assignment. And so I was there with a handful of early birds. The rep from Alaska rolled in at 3:30am. Got good seats and made my way to security, which didn’t allow us to go through until 4:20am. Our flight to Seattle began boarding at 4:30am. Now normally this wouldn’t be a problem since the airport was empty, but there wasn’t anywhere to buy water on the street side of security and it takes about an hour for Dramamine to take effect. I finally bought a bottle of water at 4:25am and downed the pill.
Halfway to Seattle I turned green and had to fight nausea. Very humiliating to say the least. Made my way to the gate for the next leg of my flight and that’s when the Dramamine took effect. I fell asleep and nearly missed my flight. God is gracious and I woke up to the sound of my flight being called. The flight was pleasant but the nausea never passed. I arrived at Newark with only thirty minutes to make it to my gate.
The Airtrain between terminals A, B, and C was broken with no estimated fix time. The only way to make it from terminal A to C was by bus. I went outside to the spot where the bus would arrive and waited and waited. Finally, the bus arrived and I made it to terminal C. I stood in line for security along with everyone else and my plane departed without me. I went to the Continental counter to inquire about rebooking my flight and was sent to another counter. And another counter. And another counter. Finally, after being passed around SEVEN times, I fell apart.
They have four huge sections of the airport set aside to deal with people who missed their connecting flights. LOTS of people miss their connecting flights. Now I’m not an engineer, but I hardly think you need a degree to figure out that something is wrong at Newark airport.
There I stood crying, nauseated, and working a Dramamine buzz as the Continental ticket woman had the audacity to tell me it was my fault I missed the flight. I said something about my inability to land the plane earlier or fix the airtrain, or drive the bus faster. She then announced that there were no more flights to Athens. The next available flight was the next day at 5:30pm. The thought of spending the night at Newark airport brought forth more tears. Mine…not hers. She booked me on the flight and gave me a complimentary room in a hotel for the night. I’m thankful I didn’t have to sleep at the airport so I’ll leave out the nightmare that was Howard Johnson’s. Needless to say, you get what you pay for.
My flight to Athens was fantastic. Great seats. A lovely Greek woman sat next to me which helped the time pass more quickly. We exchanged information and I promised to contact her when I arrived home.
Another stamp in my passport. My baggage arrived in Athens. My Mom was waiting for me. I am a happy girl.
Giving Thanks
It is amazing to me how the simple pleasures add up in a day. I try not to miss the little things. When you stop to give thanks for the little things you notice how many there are. After a day full of simple pleasures I often drive home with joy pouring from my eyes. I know I don’t deserve this much joy, and yet He just keeps giving me more and more each day. My Father is the King and I get lots and lots of presents every day. Perfect gifts. And it’s not even my birthday. I am so thankful!
