Burden

“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo―far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.”
―Jodi Picoult

What have you been surprised that you were able to carry?

6 thoughts on “Burden”

  1. Even though I was able to carry furniture earlier in my life, those days are over! Now, I have been surprised that I am able to release an hearing aid battery from its space and with a small magnetic wand replace a new one in its place. There is also another section…a small plastic tube… that needs changing some times . Both are delicate operations but my fingers, eyesight and attitude(!) are still working well enough to do this.

  2. The flexible bamboo concept was perfect for me today. On top of the Harvey stress, a beloved young member of my family is recovering from surgery. In addition to the expected pain, etc., there are a lot of things making it more difficult. He’s a college student and is having a hard time getting around campus. They were supposed to organize people with golf carts to take him to various classes, but that hasn’t happened yet. He’s on crutches with a brace on one leg and a heavy backpack. It takes so long to get from one class to the next, he has to skip meals. His bedroom is upstairs (house, not dorm, so no elevator). He’s a strong young man, athlete. But doing all this on crutches is wearing him out. Last night, I heard that one of his classes is on the 3rd floor of a building with no elevator. That was the last straw for me. I haven’t shed one tear through this Harvey thing, but this morning, I woke up crying for him, worrying about the stairs. You have reminded me that he is young, strong, highly motivated and flexible. I believe he will get through this.

    1. It’s difficult to want someone else to be able to do something that others know are so taxing, physically or mentally. My young Nigerian student is beginning his PhD program at the university 30 miles away, so in addition to a heavy study and work load, he has daily driving to compound the strain. I can understand that your young one is going through a time when the “livin’ ain’t easy”, to paraphrase from Gershwin.

  3. I am visualizing golf carts and the driver escorting my nephew up and down stairs. I hope your student guest will find things easier once he falls into the rhythm of a routine.

    1. Interestingly, the University of Missouri. Columbia (30 miles) is known for its ambulatory assistance program for students. It is not uncommon to see students driving automatized vehicles on campus,
      near dorms as well as in the nearby shopping area. They seem to be everywhere, which I know isn’t really true. Hope that your nephew can get assistance with mobility.

Comments are closed.