I'm Back...and speaking of Back

I'm on crutches. No, I didn't break anything, but I woke up this morning and could barely walk. I think it's a bulging disc. The distance from the kitchen to the sofa is formidable. When it was too painful to put one foot in front of the other, I tried side stepping. Better, but inefficient. Made it to the sofa, but after a while, needed to go to the bathroom. Fortunately it's just off the kitchen. So I called Stephen to get in front of me so I could hold onto his shoulders as we walked to the bathroom. (That was where I dismissed my therapy dog.) In short order he had produced a pair of well-used crutches from the basement.

This happens about once or twice a year. Generally near Mother's Day for some reason. But this week I think I brought it on myself. Our 79 pound golden retriever suddenly went lame in her hind quarters and couldn't get down steps without aid, so I took a few turns at lifting her hefty rear end off the front porch and nearly dragged her off to the side yard where she could squat. Repeat that a few times, then lifted her the next day into the minivan headed for the vet's office. She reovered after 2 doses of anti-inflammatory. What she had must be contagious to owners.

So here I sit, or lie, rather, on my sofa. Paul and the 3 youngers are at BB's getting groceries and enjoying Lancaster scenery, then getting Easy Readers for Joel.
Ben is at Allan's, recovering from a lacrosse game and swing dancing with the Connells last night. It's just me, the dog (who is quite agile and sympathetic)
and a pair of crutches.

Funny thing is, earlier this week I was praying that God would deepen my communion with Him. I caught myself saying, "If you have to take me back to the pain I was in four years ago so that I can have sweet, deep communion with You again, it'd be worth it."