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| pregame rehearsal |
Today I woke up with my back hurting. Still. This is getting old, right? And, it's storming. The forecast for the day is rain and more rain.
I'm faced with a familiar dilemma. I absolutely LOVE watching my son perform in the Iowa State marching band. It is absolutely the highlight of my fall. Plus, he is a senior, so only two more possible times to go watch him at a football game.
But it means walking about three miles by the time we walk from our parked car to watch the band, and then back to the car. Then more walking because we are band groupies and follow them around between tailgaters.
It means carrying an umbrella for about two hours. It means standing on concrete for about two hours. Not so smart in my current condition.
I'm stuck in the place between what is good and what is best.
Door #1. Go and watch my son perform, and risk further back strain.
Door #2. Stay home, and miss the band's awesome pregame performance. But rest my back and heal.
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| Our son on game day |
I finally say to myself, You're going to have to choose between good and best. What is best right now? Today. Knowing the condition of your back and the weather.
That space between good and best is a space I've often found myself in.
Do I call this person or not?
Do I bring up this topic with my husband?
Do I join this group?
Do I eat this cookie?
Do I go watch my son march?
In my heart of hearts I want to do what's best. Always. For God. For my family. For others. For me. But often I feel stuck in the space between good and best. Because sometimes good looks best. And best looks worse.
A friend said recently of the human condition: We are a piece of work! I couldn't agree more.
I am a piece of work, caught often between good and best. Needing to choose. And it can be very hard.
What do you do when you are wedged in that space between 'good' and 'best'?
see day 1 for a list of all 31 posts
Remember, I said I hurt my back?
This morning I move slowly between chiropractor and Walgreen's. I need to buy a heating pad. Have you ever been to Walgreen's in the heating pad aisle? In the same aisle there are snap-on plastic toilet seats, adult diapers and latex gloves. In this same aisle is Icy Hot, ace bandages and vomit/pee bags ew, didn't know those existed. Honestly, I got a little grossed out and depressed in this aisle.
Does God have a sense of humor or what? Showing me that this aisle at Walgreen's exists in the year before I turn 50? Not funny, God!
So, there are several heating pads to choose from. There is the basic 12 x 15 one for $17.99 with the ugly baby blue cover. Then, the 12 x 15 one with maroon velour cover. Then $41.99. You know what? I usually go cheap, but not today, I say!! I'm getting the the $41.99 one that self-inflates to fit the lumbar section of my back. It inflates to fit me personally. I deserve that, I say.
After the heating pad aisle at Walgreen's I tell myself I deserve a venti non-fat chai tea latte for my trauma, so I drive over to the Starbucks inside my grocery store.
I am conscious of how I am pushing back feelings of impatience to wait for a couple of elderly people and about five other people to cross the cross walk in front of my van at the store. I'm thinking about the irony of the aisle I've just been in. (No irreverence intended for the elderly, just irony.) I tell myself to just chill and be patient for everyone to pass in front of me on this gorgeous day.
I park and amble my way in for my drink. I thank God that even though I'm moving slow, it's sunny and I can walk and the lady making my chai is smiling. And, it's Friday.
Happy Friday, friends!
see day 1 for a list of all 31 posts
