Читать книгу Above and Beyond - J.S. Dorian - Страница 89

“Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do what we can.”

RALPH WALDO EMERSON

On the last day of your hospital stay the surgeon stood at the side of your bed and said, “Your inclination will be to let your wife do everything for you. But that will hurt you more than help you. You have to start doing things for yourself again; you have to rebuild your strength and self-worth.”

You haven’t yet found the ideal balance between doing too much and doing too little for yourself, but you are making progress. You’re learning to accept help without hindering your recovery. You are also finding ways to make your wife and other loved ones feel important and needed, by showing that you value their company, opinions, and suggestions.

You’ve also discovered that the little things you’re learning to do for yourself—giving yourself a sponge bath, airing out the room, preparing a sandwich—bring not only personal satisfaction but a real sense of recovery.