Mending the Brokenness

In late October, on Halloween as a matter of fact, I broke my ankle. People would ask me how I broke it, and although I was tempted to tell them some grand story, like that I broke it while sky-diving, I did it while crossing the street to my office.

I looked to see if the car coming down the street was stopping as I stepped into the crosswalk. As I turned to look, I rolled over my right ankle putting all my weight on it. While it twinged a bit, it was not initially all that painful. I thought "Eh- it's only a sprain, I can walk it off..."

After walking about 100 feet, though, I looked down, and my right ankle was already swollen up larger than a grapefruit. Fortunately, in one regard, I work at a hospital, so with the help of a friend, I hobbled down to the emergency room. After a long list of questions, and a bit of waiting, I was taken to the x-ray room, then to be seen by the orthopedist. It was broken and I would need to wear a cast, and use crutches for up to 5 weeks! I was bummed.

Even worse was the fact that I would not be allowed to drive the entire time because it was my right foot.

The whole experience, while kind of surreal at first, helped to sensitize me, in some small way, to the struggles that people face when confronted by injury or illness. I also realized that I could not do everything on my own. My dear wife was my personal chaufeur for those 6 weeks, and my parents and in-laws also helped by taking me to doctors appointments, visiting me, praying for me and offering encouragement.

That helped in my healing process- a lot!

I also had the privilege of working with a medical and rehabilitation staff that were amazingly encouraging and helpful. I went for physical therapy twice a week for two months, and the therapist and his staff worked patiently with me to help me first begin to regain my strength, then gradually begin to walk- step by step.

I have been amazed at how such seemingly small gestures meant to me- they helped to keep me on the path to recovery, and helped rebuild my confidence and mobility.

There are many times in life when we encounter others who are wounded- either physically, from illness, or injury, or from emotional trauma and loss. Some people, sadly, feel ashamed of their woundedness or do not seek help. Others seem to wear it as a badge from which to garner sympathy but do not take the steps needed to get better- even when they are within reach.

By journeying with friends, neighbors, loved ones, and even acquaintences, we can offer ourselves as an encouraging and nurturing presence. This gift, though intangible and seemingly insignificant, is one of the greatest gifts that one human being can offer another. May we offer our presence and friendship to others as a source of healing and hope.

Peace on the journey,

John