Hospital Beds

I sat there, staring at the painting that hung on the wall in front of me.  He lay beside me, drifting in and out of sleep, his swollen fingers tapping on the pile of pillows that supported his broken wrist.

I saw the whole thing happen.  In a matter of seconds our plans had changed and we were rushing off to the emergency room. I watched as the doctor straightened out the crooked bone and I waited as they placed a metal plate inside his lower arm.  "It could have been worse", the nurses told me.  They have seen commas, paralysis and even death.

When I arrived home that evening, every emotion I had suppressed appeared and I cried.

I cried because it could have been worse.

For whatever reason, he was safe and for whatever reason, others weren't.  I thought about our Saturday night plans and the fact that his cast will be off in a few short weeks.  I began to pray for those who rush into the ER not knowing whether or not their loved one will come out alive.

The day after the accident, I spent the day by his side.  In all honesty, he didn't need me there but, I needed him and I needed the reminders that can only come from laying in a hospital bed next to someone whose pain you know will end, but whose pain you would do anything to take away.

I needed to see the young couple rushing through the hospital doors-- her belly about to pop, his hands carrying the diaper bag they would be needing in a few short hours.  I needed to see the face of the elderly women laying sick in the bedroom two doors down.  As I noticed these ladies, I couldn't help but realize that in due time, I will be in both of their shoes.  It made me wonder what I will make of my life until I reach those moments.  Of the many lessons I have learned this weekend, I have come to understand the importance of living life to its fullest.  Life will change and inevitably (just as this weekend proved) so will my plans, but happiness comes from learning to enjoy life and from not living in fear of the negative occurring.

Over the past 48 hours I have become insanely aware of my gratitude for this thing called life.  Although I wasn't the one in pain, I count modern medicine, caring physicians, and a body that functions and heals as a few of my greatest blessings. I am thankful for the moments which remind me that I am alive and most importantly I am grateful for friends, family, and faith that make my life worth living.

Although it could have been worse, life couldn't get any better.