I broke a bone

I broke a bone in my foot. It’s known as a Footballer’s break. I think I prefer the more romantic Dancer’s fracture or the drier 5th metatarsal avulsion fracture. Whatever, it hurt. At first I thought it was a misfortune but of course it was a learning opportunity and I have to be grateful for that.
I revisited my training on foot anatomy and am reminded how utterly amazing the human body is. Better for the tendon to pull off a piece of bone (my body quickly grows more bone to fix it) than for it to tear in two (a much lengthier and more painful healing process). I also learnt how menopause affects the level of collagen in ligaments and tendons due to the drop in oestrogen and, together with the question of my bone health, I am currently investigating my physical health.
Mentally speaking, there have also been challenges. This independent, busy “doer” was suddenly immobile. I do struggle to ask for help and here I was with no choice but to do exactly that – and I found that people really don’t mind. I can be a perfectionist but now I had to watch my two teenage boys clean the kitchen (I found less tension in the room when I stuck with a simple thank you!) I like to have a handle on things, have several plates spinning in sync and things in the diary to look forward to but I’ve had to watch weeds grow, hear about other people’s cycling adventures and cancel my plans. I’ve had to sit back while others are busy around me and I’ve had to move slowly and with forethought. I lost my role (or so it felt on a dark day) and I felt useless, impotent. Eventually, I found it better to loosen my grip on the labels I give myself. It was ok to focus on my own healing.
I have also learnt to accept and enjoy being cared for more. You may wonder how this can be a lesson but there will be someone you know that routinely puts others first, picks up the pieces, fills in the gaps, finds it hard to accept compliments or quietly goes without for the sake of others. These are the ones that care for us without expecting anything in return. Remember these people by showing them regular small acts of gratitude, not just at Christmas and birthdays, so they know they are cared for too. It’s the ordinary days that make up our lives so let’s make sure that each one is blessed with acts of love.