I am not easily amazed. Often, I am not even easily impressed. I am somewhat of a cynic and often expect the worst. It is rare for me to really be wowed by someone. Occasionally though, I am.
I am currently sitting in the hospital with my husband's grandfather who is 91 years old. He fell about 10 days ago and fractured his pelvis. This is the third in a series of falls over the last few years. The first time he fell and broke his hip, I cautioned my husband that it is very difficult for elderly people to recover from such a break and that he should prepare himself for what may come. He was furious at me. Unfortunately though, I had seen it quite a few times and knew that often, the outcome of a broken hip is not a good one for an elderly person. Well, as it turns out, I was wrong. It was an amazing recovery. He healed and some might say, got even better.
About 6 months ago he fell again, another broken hip. By this time I had learned my lesson and told my husband, that just as he has done it before, his grandfather would do it again. We could expect a full recovery and sure enough, we all watched it happen. Another remarkable recovery. Just two weeks ago, when I went to his house to visit with him, he proudly told me that he had walked to and from the store by himself. He was having a great day.
And then 10 days ago, he fell again. This time he fractured his pelvis. Since then, he has been in the hospital and it has not been an easy time for him. He is very weak and in tremendous pain. It is hard for those of us who love him to watch him suffer so. We are worried about him because he is in pain and because his spirits are low.
But here is the thing about Zaidy. He is truly amazing. He has been through so much in his life and he is a true survivor in every way. He never gives up and and has the most incredible will to live. It is awe inspiring. But more than that, it is a lesson for me every day. He has shown me that no matter what, you can never give up. That life deals you difficult cards but you must play them. That being strong is a must and that making it through is the only option. I recently told him that had I lived during the time of the Holocaust I don't think I would have survived it. He answered me that you have no idea what the human body is capable of.
I have been having a pretty bad day today. Lots going on, some tough decisions to make about my son. I have been sick for a few weeks with something I can't seem to shake and so when I woke up this morning with a splitting headache it seemed the only course of action was to have a good cry. I had a pretty big crying jag and have been feeling pretty gloomy all day. But as I sit here, doing my "shift" with Zaidy, it occurs to me that I really need to take a page out of his book. I could learn quite a bit from this man who simply won't quit. It probably wouldn't hurt for me to try to take a positive spin on life. To emulate him. The truth is, I am not sure yet exactly how to apply the lesson he is teaching me right now to my life, but I am going to figure it out. I will figure it out because I know, that if I can get even an ounce of his spirit I will be doing pretty ok.
And I will tell you this, he just turned to me and asked me if my parents are proud of me. When I answered him that I think so and that I hope so he said to me "that is not enough. If you were my daughter I would tell everyone how wonderful you are". Not a bad way to end my crappy day. I am going home with a big smile on my face.
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