10 Difficult One-Handed Tasks

Life has a way of throwing you a curve ball now and then. It's been a week since I fractured my collarbone in a freak bicycle accident. I had just gotten back onto my bike when my foot slipped off the pedal and got caught in the spokes. I went over the handlebars and my shoulder hit the edge of this metal trash can.

The 'treatment' for a broken collarbone is to immobilize the arm in a sling and hope it heals well. Since then, I've been figuring out what I can and can't do and learning new ways to do things using only one hand. In the process, I've compiled this top 10 list of difficult one-handed tasks.

Working. Whether you're an aspiring sax player or just an ordinary postal worker, your doctor will probably insist that you take some time off. My doctor said 6-12 weeks of no working.

Writing or typing. Writing with pen and paper is a challenge when the arm in a sling is also your dominant arm. It's also hard to average my normal 90+ words per minute when typing with two or three fingers on my left hand.

Lifting. Anything. The second thing the doctor told me is no lifting. So far, a cup of coffee or bottle of water is the extent of my lifting.

Walking. Forget about even trying running, jumping, hiking or biking. Some days, it's painful just to walk. With one arm in a sling, taking baby steps prevents a fall and unnecessary jarring.

Personal hygiene. Washing your hand, brushing your teeth, showering and brushing your hair are all more difficult and time consuming with one hand. Forget about trying to apply make-up or cut nails.

Dressing. It's a challenge to put on or take off clothes with only one hand. Forget about looking cute. Elastic waist shorts and oversized shirts are my friends.

Driving. The third thing the doctor said no to was driving. Since the shoulder harness in the front passenger seat falls directly over the site of my injury, I'm a backseat driver for now. Sorry, Kenny.

Cooking. Since I can't lift anything and can only use one hand, cooking is pretty much out of my realm of possible activities. Oh well.

Tying shoelaces. Unless you wear shoes all day and evening at home, get someone with two hands to tie your shoes tight enough to stay on and loose enough to slip on and off. Slippers or flip-flops are also good choices.

Taking care of others. It's time to let others take care of you for a while, which is a difficult task for us independent types. Hopefully the dolls will understand.

So by now you may be wondering what's on the list of what I can do. That list is a little different.

Praying. It's at the top of my list and easy to do. I start each day with a prayer of thanksgiving before praying for others whose needs are much greater than mine.

Napping. Sleeping is highly overrated, but it's also difficult to get into a comfortable position. Little cat naps are much easier to manage than 'a good night's sleep' -- whatever that is.

Reading. Once I figured out how to balance a book on a pillow in my lap, I started tackling all of the books on my 'to-read' list. First book completed was "A Walk in the Woods," a true story of one man's attempt to thru-hike the 2.100-mile Appalachian Trail. I had already started reading this part adventure and part comedy book before the accident happened. The book engaged the hiker in me and kept me laughing. Next on the list is Mitch Albom's "have a little faith," a non-fiction book about one man's journey of faith after being asked by the rabbi of his childhood to deliver the man's eulogy.

Short neighborhood walks. I can't drive to the walking trails, but I can walk around the block. I can't wear my heavy camera, but I can take pictures with my cell phone. The same cell phone helps me stay connected with family and friends when I'm at home. Phone calls, text messages and social media can all be done one-handed.

Asking for and accepting help. This isn't always easy to do, especially when you're very independent. But I'm blessed with a wonderful husband who's been so helpful to me and I'm very grateful for his help, as well as help, healing wishes visits, cards and prayers from our children, grandkids and friends.

Dreaming. Maybe I can't do everything I want now, but I can hope, plan and dream about all of the things I'll do when I'm healed.

Being grateful and content. I only have one life to live, so I'm reminding myself every day to take it as it comes, to be grateful for everything and to be content with the journey of healing.

Hanging in there. Well, maybe not exactly like this, but you get the idea.

Reminding myself that this too shall pass. My Mom said this all the time and it's true. Nothing, whether good or bad, lasts forever. Each day is a gift and I thank God for the journey.

Until the next time, I'll take what I can get when I can get it and do the best I can to face each day with a smile on my face, a prayer on my lips and a song in my heart.

Blogging Grandma Sandy, signing off for now.

An Ode to Mom

I didn't know you when you were young

So many years ago.

Your life stretched out before you

Your cheeks bright and aglow.

So lovely on your wedding day

What wishes were in your heart?

Could you even imagine then

The times you'd spend apart?

As a young wife and mother

You walked hand-in-hand.

Down the streets of the city

Not knowing what God had planned.

A happy family picnic

You and your three little girls.

A Coca-Cola in your hand

Your hair swept up in curls.

The beauty of a mother's love

Is written in your eyes.

As you hold your firstborn son up high

Reaching to the skies.

By the time I came along

As baby number five.

I'm sure that there were days

It was all you could do to survive.

You didn't drive but you packed up kids

And traveled so far away.

To distant lands to make a home

Where kids were free to play.

Could you have imagined as a bride on your wedding day

You'd have two sons born in another land?

Your life would be lived so far from Wisconsin

Would you have said yes if you knew beforehand?

When we lived in Alabama

Your heart just wasn't there.

How much happier you were back in Kansas

An answer to your prayer.

As your children grew and needed you less

You reached out with arms open wide.

To embrace so many Girl Scouts

Taking life as it came in stride.

Your older kids moved out

Some moved far from home.

From time to time we all returned

From places where we'd roamed.

Grandkids soon outnumbered

Your family of eight little ones.

You gladly welcome each new baby

Granddaughters and grandsons.

Although you lived so far away

Wisconsin remained near and dear.

Your heart embraced your heritage

Wherever you lived on earth's sphere.

Some of your grandkids lived so far away

And others lived nearby.

You didn't whine and complain

Or get angry and ask why.

When all of us traveled home

The joy was etched upon your face.

Although the room was noisy

You handled it with grace.

What a massive group of grandkids

Your legacy to carry on.

None of us knew then that in so few years

Your work on earth would be done.

The children of your two youngest kids

What a blessing to behold.

Loved just like their older cousins

Treasures as though made of gold.

Of all the places you lived

And all the cities where you roamed.

There was no place better than your own front porch

For you, it was home sweet home.

When the weather was too cold

And your strength began to fade.

Your davenport was your place to be

Jayhawks and Snoopys all arrayed.

It's still hard to believe you're gone from us

But in Heaven, all things are made new.

As you wander God's streets paved with gold

Know how much we love and miss you.

"You take it as it comes"

One of your favorite things to say.

I know we'll all be together again

One bright and shiny day.

Mom Showed Me the Way

They say that only a Mom really knows

How quickly life moves, how fast time goes.

From babies to toddlers to school girls and boys

Rattles and stuffed animals to being too big for toys.

Those older and wiser try to tell the young Mom 

To live life while they're young, they'll soon be at prom. 

Soon driving and laughing, or texting all day 

Growing and changing and moving away.

A Mom's heart breaks with each ache her child feels 

Though she tries to soften the blows making deals. 

With God or with man or whoever she can 

To help her son grow up to be a man.

To moms everywhere on your own special day 

Your job is to see your children on their way. 

To manhood and to womanhood too 

Until you soon have no more job to do.

Moms take the blame for whatever goes wrong 

And pass out the praise when the boy's big and strong. 

'That's my boy' or 'That girl is mine' 

Pride in your voice, eyes that do shine.

As you look toward your children, now grown 

You know that you'd give up all that you own. 

To go back in time, if just for a day 

To a time when the baby in your arms did lay.

The future still so far far away 

For now just only time to play. 

And knowing then what now you know 

How quickly that little baby would grow.

A good Mom works herself out of a job 

The kids grow up and time does rob 

The days away and memories too 

Leaving Mom sometimes sad and blue.

But don't despair, Moms here and there 

Before you know, life will soon be fair. 

When that baby of yours has a baby too 

For you to hold and rock and sing to.

That's what the older ones all know 

Life's endless circle as little ones grow. 

You've done your job, you did your best 

And now you've earned your little rest.

Thanks to all the Moms, especially mine 

You raised all eight, should have been nine. 

You saw us all through thick and thin 

You did it all while wearing a grin.

Because you knew our time would come 

We'd have to let go of our own little ones. 

Wave good-bye and choke back our tears 

Let them go their own way despite all the fears.

Thanks dear Mom for showing me the way 

And for teaching me how to sing and to play. 

Showing me what a good Mom should do 

When I grew up, I became just like you. 

- Sandy Wallace, May 2, 2012

One of the perks of being a freelance writer is the freedom to write about whatever I want. I originally wrote this poem as a Mother's Day tribute to my Mom, published in May 2012 on the Yahoo Contributor Network. During the month of May 2015, we've made it through two more firsts: the first Mother's Day without our Mom and Mom's first birthday in Heaven. 

They say the first year spent grieving the loss of a loved one is the worst and that the pain lessens with time. Almost a year ago, we said our final good-byes to Mom and Dad. Mom died on June 5, 2014, and Dad followed her to their eternal home just 16 days later on June 21, 2014.

As I turned the calendar from May to June this year, those two dates stood out on the calendar as bleak reminders of this grief-filled year. Mom's homegoing took place early in the morning of my younger grandson's sixth birthday. Perhaps this was God's way of giving me a reason to celebrate June 5 each year, instead of just grieving. It seems fitting to republish this tribute as the date of Mom's death approaches.

I captured this photo of my Mom on one of my many visits back home. Mom always asked me to call when I was getting close to home so she could be ready and probably so she could be on the front porch waiting for me -- my personal welcome home committee of one. Dad was usually waiting inside, except when he was gone to Boy Scout camp.

This is one of my fondest memories of Mom -- waiting for one of her children to come home. Whether standing on the front porch waiting in the middle of the day or sitting on the living room davenport waiting in the middle of the night, waiting for her kids to come home is just what Mom did.

One of Mom's favorite sayings was, "You take it as it comes." Mom waited for us then as she waits for us now. When my days on earth come to an end, I expect to see Mom waiting for me on the other side -- my personal welcome home committee to Heaven. Until then, I'll take it as it comes. I Love you, Mom! You're loved and missed always.

You Take It As It Comes

Nearly every morning when I wake up, I look out the back window to see what the day will bring. Will it be sunny and warm or gloomy and rainy? It's easy to let the view I see out my window affect my mood all day, especially when this is what I see on my day off. I like to plan outdoor adventures when I'm not working and rainy days and outdoor adventures don't mix well.

The view out my window last week was much more to my liking. My husband took a day off and we went to the beach after work the day before my day off. As I woke up before the sunrise, this was the view out my window.

What makes a perfect day? Does seeing the best sunrise of the year at the beach make the day any more perfect than seeing a gloomy sky and rain? My Mom always said, "You take it as it comes."

Most of us are guilty at times of letting the cloudy days in life affect the way we feel. When you take it as it comes, you appreciate where you are right now in life, whether it's a sunny day spent at the beach or a rainy day spent at home.

Kids have a natural joy for life that is beautiful to watch. Kids laugh, run and play no matter what the weather brings. Whether they are at the beach playing in the waves or in the middle of a downpour, kids understand that you take it as it comes.

As adults, we often lose that sense of wonder and joy. Sometimes we have to see how difficult life is for someone else to truly appreciate what we have. Take it as it comes.

You take it as it comes when you find beauty in the small and insignificant things in life. A butterfly on a flower is a beautiful sight to see if you take the time to enjoy the view.

A view of the mountains from an overlook on a hazy day is a beautiful sight when you appreciate the view you have instead of wishing for a different view. Just take it as it comes.

The sky at sunset is a beautiful view if you appreciate where you are right now in life instead of wishing you were somewhere else. Just take it as it comes.

Find the beauty in life, whether you're walking beside a bed of flowers or sitting in your favorite chair. When you take it as it comes, you look for the little things that make life beautiful.

The wonder of a new baby is a feeling you can't save until later. You have to take it as it comes and feel the joy and wonder of the moment.

Mom went with us on a couple of beach trips about 20 years ago. Although she wasn't a beach kind of person, Mom was delighted to visit the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse at the Outer Banks. Mom was so proud of herself for walking up all 268 stairs to the top of the lighthouse. When you take it as it comes, you don't need someone else to tell you that you did a good job. You don't look to others for validation.

The recipe for happiness in life is to take it as it comes. Find joy in the simple and seemingly insignificant moments in life. Sitting on the front porch watching life go by was one of Mom's favorite joys in her later years. Her world shrank more and more each year, but she didn't complain about what she couldn't do anymore. She let the words, "You take it as it comes" be her motto for life.

Mom and Dad aren't here on earth anymore, but they are with me every day from the rising of the sun until the setting of the sun. The lessons they taught all of us and the love they shared with us mean that we're never alone. They are always watching over us as we go through life.

As I wake up each morning and look out the window to see what the day will bring, I can almost hear Mom's voice in the whisper of the wind saying, "You take it as it comes."

Blogging Grandma Sandy, signing out for now.