Yesterday, I was riding my electric bike and thinking about how amazing it was that a person who can barely walk fifty feet at a time can ride five miles on the trails. I feel so blessed to be able to go out riding with my husband and enjoy our beautiful scenery. I told him that it was like I was riding tandem with a giant. He smiled.
When we got home, I thought more about my experience riding an electric bike and realized that it is like my whole life. I put in a little energy which is all I have. Even though I'm doing my best, it isn't even close to being enough to enable me to do the things and progress down the trail like I want to.
Since our Savior knows how much we all need help, He paid for our mistakes, enabling us to have His power in our lives. With His power to help me, I can change, grow, and progress down the path to eternal life with Heavenly Father and my family. It is so wonderful!
In a few days I'll have another birthday. I'm excited to turn 68. I know most people try and hide their age, especially women. I don't. First of all, I so grateful to have made it this far, and second, I don't think anyone would really believe me if I said I was younger. Let's face it, no older person really looks very young if you come within twenty feet of them.
Mainly, I'm excited about another birthday, because life keeps getting better. Yes, I have health problems which restrict the things I can do, but I find that I'm happier now than when I was younger. Though I admit, that I was prettier back then, I worried about everything. I compared myself to other women and saw them as more attractive and talented. I went into a deep depression if I gained a pound, or hid in shame if I had a blemish. I listed all that others could do and neglected my own unique abilities. I worried if I was being a good wife, mother and homemaker. I worried constantly over my children's health, safety, and happiness. I made a long list of other women's strengths and expected myself to perform up to those standards, and I always felt that I was not measuring up to society's expectations. In other words, I sucked the joy out of life.
I was so touched by this video (Enduring Love) that I cried. It reminded me so much of my husband.
Some might ask how I can be sure my husband would care for me like this man cares for his disabled wife. I know because my husband already has. There have been times when I have fallen to the floor and he has picked me up; times when I couldn't get food, walk, or talk. He has been there caring for me, and yes, he has even combed my hair for me.
This week I wanted to be out and enjoy the fall color, but I can only walk a few feet at a time (see http://livingwithaddisondisease.blogspot.com/) so my husband pushed me miles in a wheelchair along the paved river trail. I'm grateful that Addison's Disease is not a progressive disease (it's like diabetes; my adrenal glands don't work), but I'm even more grateful to have
I look forward to twice a year hearing our leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give messages just for women. What I liked best about this General Woman's Conference is the firm declaration of mission.
It really helped me focus on who I really am - a Daughter of God, and what I can do to make the world a better place. It gives me strength to know
I decided that I'd share some of my daily life. Since we live a simply, we don't have a lot of expenses. This means that I don't have to work all day at a full time job. This is good because I have Addison's Disease which means that I have very little adrenal function and consequently little energy. Also, who really wants to work full time at sixty!
