Time in Autumn Woods
I can still hear the crackling of the crisp leaves that we walked through. I remember smells of moss, molding leaves on the forest floor. I feel lost in time. I look at my surroundings of trees and brush, wondering if this is what the area probably looked like hundreds of years ago, I remember thinking. I hurt and struggled up hills and down the steep paths, but I didn’t want to miss the beauty of nature’s displays. I didn’t wish for “Arthur,” as I have dubbed my disease, to take away my right to enjoy a crisp, fall afternoon chasing and strolling after my grandkids, daughter, and husband.
My mom’s voice echoed in my head: “Don’t hold that camera. Keep the strap around your neck, or you will drop it and break it.” I had it secured as ordered in the woods.
My grandson didn’t know what to make of the forest. He was hesitant, laughing, giddy, and scared all in moments of each other. We came to a branch lying across the path, and my husband stepped on it and started bouncing my daughter and granddaughter, giving them a free ride. He tried to put my grandson on it with him, but he was scared and hesitant.
“Come on, you can do it,” My husband said and bounced softly up and down at first.
Within seconds, my grandson chortled. “Heee, heee.” He started bouncing himself and tried to make Papa go faster. “Weeee, I can do it.” Then my granddaughter wanted on, and papa stopped to help her too.
I pressed the camera button and took a series of shots.
More than 48 hours later, I sit in the quiet of the house thinking about a post thatI wrote last month that now is up as part of the Patient For A Moment Blog Carnival. My replaced left knee and my feet hurt, and I am exhausted.
I want to go back, the camera around my neck. I want to spend hours running, jumping, and climbing instead of just following along, slowing everyone up. I want to keep up with my grandchildren as they laugh, run, and play, disappearing in the trees. Instead, my daughter hung back to wait for me. My husband, with his hand, stretched out to me that I refused to take. “Watch out for them. They are more important. Don’t let them get hurt.”
Don’t let me get hurt, but I am already from pain and lack of mobility. I have my husband’s love for me to thank that I got out Sunday to explore the fall foliage with my daughter and grandchildren. I couldn’t have done that on my own.
We found a walking stick, just a small branch separated from the rest of its tree. It aided me in climbing up the hills. I climbed one as the sunlight glistened, and we found a log that was perfect for a family portrait: only I couldn’t get on the ground to take a picture with them. I didn’t have a tripod anyway; so I let them line up on the log and took their picture.
J needed a little encouragement to look at the camera.
“Come on, J. J, J. look at Meme. Smile. La, la.” I made a spitting and snorting sound. He looked up and laughed at me. Snap.
Perfect. I look at it now and chuckle, feeling the dappled sunlight on my hands and the crisp air — worth every minute of discomfort. Arthur lost. I won that day. Thanks to my husband and God, who found him for me. 🙂
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Thanks for reading, I am following these hops today:
a wonderful adventure filled with happy. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop Hugs!
Hi Mary,
Thanks so much for visiting Hope Flourishes today. Lovely to meet you. Your post was such a blessing to read. I loved your photos and join with you in your victory defeating Arthur 🙂 Let’s defeat him together with God’s grace.
Blessings
I can empathize. I have had several joint replacements, and a couple of ankle fusions. I have RA, OA and several related autoimmune issues. It steals a lot of time and fun, but I try anyway. You learn to balance, I guess.
This may be a duplicate ~ crazy G+ or me ~ LOL ~ Wonderful loving post and family photos ~ thanks, carol ^_^
PS ~ You are not in 2 circles on G+
Wonderful post and loving photos ~ well done ~ carol ^_^ ~ Now have you in 2 circles ~ enjoy ~
Mary, this story almost made me cry. Almost, because it more than made me smile. I just posted my entry before bloghopping and now I read this . . . . .
The woods and forests are magical places and have that ability of taking you away from your day to day life and living your dreams. I hope you enjoy many more of them and tell us about them, they are inspirational.
Great photos! Thanks for sharing those.
BTW: I tell people to hold on to the camera and to keep the strap around (whatever body part is apporpriate — writst or neck). Does this mean my daughter will hear these words echoing in her head when she grows up too? 😉
I think it resonates with me so much because her camera is so important to me too. I love using it and she lets me. Another blessing that I need to count for Friday. 🙂
Your post is so lovely, and your photos are great!
Im so sorry that you suffer from “Arthur” – I do also….
I could relate so well to this post, Mary, as I am always the one to come behind, moving slowly, careful not to misstep or lose my balance and cause more pain, ever mindful that what I enjoy will hurt tomorrow, and an underlying sense of sorry that I cannot enjoy with free abandon as I used to do. I sensed your sadness in what is no more, but I also loved that you took advantage of this lovely walk to take amazing photo memories of your family, the gorgeous surroundings, and to note that despite your struggles you are indeed, so deeply blessed! Thank you for the link up to Two Shoes Tuesday! 🙂
Thanks Josie. I love hooking up with you. I am trying my best to get others to join us. 🙂
Such a beautiful family Mary — so glad you were able to spend time with them in the woods despite your pain. Lovely photos. xo