Peonies from our very own yard!
The last time I was in Maine, in April, three cervical discs in my neck bulged and I ended up limping home for the five hour drive as a passenger in severe pain. At the time, I had no idea what was wrong with me. I certainly did not think that I was going to spend the next several weeks healing and taking care of myself. That is a story for another day and don’t worry I am going to spend some time telling you all about it.
For today, this story is about how we ventured back to Maine. For our annual July visit. We spent a long time driving up, walking breaks every hour, a long lunch and walking tour in Portsmouth. Then, the home stretch a hour and a half drive through Freeport, Portland, Bath and then straight into Damariscotta.
I have to say I was very nervous about the drive- my mother in law drove so my neck could be free to move around- it was a delightful trip, and we made it with no problems!
Now, for taking care of myself.
Easier said than done.
My instinct is always to be on the move. How do you slow down when all you want to do is be active? How do you remind yourself to do your meditation, to walk, to drink water, to take your supplements, all when you are faced with this beautiful landscape, the beautiful lake, the wonderful places to shop! All I want to do is run out and enjoy it all, but instead, I have to take it in slow, even steps. I have to brave the mosquitos every morning to do my walking. I have to lie down on the yoga mat and do stretches and neck exercises. I have to take the time to be restful despite wanting to be on the go all the time.
So, there it is. I am faced with an inner quandry. I MUST take care of myself so that the cervial radiculopathy does not raise its ugly head (neck?) again. I MUST learn how to slow down, not be so active, not want to be moving and doing something every second.
That is hard for me. I hope to figure it out and share with you too.