Ah the joys of summer. For most that means the joy of vacation time, getting away or even playing tourist in one’s own city. For others it simply means time off from work to try to get things off their to-do list like reading that book that has been on the bedside table since Christmas. For some is the dream of having no alarm clock screaming them awake.
Well, as you may know, I am a teacher which means I am off for the whole summer. As I approach my half-way mark I feel this summer has been like no other so far. I am trying to see what is different and I think I might have found it; my husband.
My husband has had an interesting ride. In the past, he had two to three weeks of vacation in his year. I would get things done waiting for him to be off. We would then take off for a bit to explore or to get away from it all. In the last few years, we were together for whole summer. The first two summers after his last brain surgery were filled with appointments at the rehabilitation centers.
This summer has had an incredibly surprising twist. It has become a summer of projects. Unlike past years where I would do certain projects around the house while JM was still at work, these projects came from the hubby.
In the last four weeks, we have put in a hardwood floor, caulked the shower, stripped and are redoing the dining room table, pulled out the old bar in the basement to replace it with a closet and we have hosted two birthday parties.
Though these things were done together what is different and new is how much JM is instigating projects. The organisational skills necessary to accomplish even one project could be challenging. To be able to not only do but also organise projects may be a sign of another boom of improvement on what the last surgery and status left him to deal with.
I know the doctors told us there was a potential for improvement and growth past all therapies. I am enjoying learning they are right.
I still wonder what needs to be in place for such progress. Even the healthiest, accomplished most energetic people can feel like they are in a rut, especially when they hit a certain age.
My husband had more to deal with then just a possible mid-age crisis. He had to reinvent his whole sense of identity to fit his new reality.
The best part is his new reality is far from static. Though things did not feel in constant evolution, I guess they must have been. Maybe it is like when we watch our kids grow. Day after day they seem to be exactly the same size until we notice their clothes seem to have shrunk. Then, lo and behold you measure them to realise they have gained height in inches
Another possibility for this great energetic boom on projects comes to mind; to avoid certain tasks that were on his plate.
Isn’t it odd that the patient is also really human?