An amazing thing happened this past week. I started to like watching soccer, thanks to the US Women's World Cup team. Really, I didn't think it was possible.
This has been a fun sports summer - the dramatic nail biting South Carolina baseball championship run, the Dallas Mav's victory over the Heat, and the Women's World Cup win over Brazil.
It was cool sitting up on the high side ledge of the State House with Laurel and Brett the other evening. Every time I go up there I think of the iconic 1865 photo taken from the State House steps down main street after Columbia burned. The drama, beauty and horror of history just oozes there. I do love my home state.
It was uncannily cool and pleasant that evening. We went to Five Points after and hung out at the fountain. I was a good time.
I start PT this next week on my right leg. I may have starting working too soon after the surgery and before I built up adequate strength in my leg muscles. There is so much pulling, twisting, stumbling, bending footing, uneven terrain and so forth, it's hard not to tweak the knee again and again, especially the strained/weak MCL. I still have a hard time on stairs, throwing a baseball or frizbee, getting in and out of cars, things like that. I need to focus on PT and building up strength and somehow avoid reinjury. Hmmm.
I don't know where I'd be in my faith and relationship with God if it were not for "Jesus of Nazareth," the book (and the person). I read it when I awake in the night and reach for it when I get up. I am not Catholic, and will never be, but I will always owe a debt of gratitude to the man who wrote this book.
Speaking of Jesus, I do pray for a deep visceral awareness of Jesus' presence. I know He says "I will never leave you or forsake you" and I believe that; I just want Him to come in and overwhelm me, shake me up, do a number on me.
I stayed up too late last night, of all things, watching biology and calculus videos on the Kahn Academy web site. I read about Khan in a Wired Magazine article. More and more teachers are using Khan's videos, enabling them to focus more time in class on helping students with problem solving, flipping the traditional classroom/homework pattern. It's a good read.
Khan reminds me a little, well, of me actually. I wish I had had his idea! Gosh, 53 years into this life and I am still such a geek! I have become way more well rounded over the course of my life in history and literature but I do find a childlike joy in math and science. Memories and Mrs. Henry and Mrs. Carpenter and Mrs. Short...It just makes me chuckle at myself really.
However it works out for me getting through this rough spot and moving forward hopefully with a job, it won't be due to undaunted courage on my part, or great cleverness, or even hard work (though there has been plenty of that) - it will be due to the love and help and encouragement of friends, my family here, and my daughters. Those who have helped and encouraged me know who you are, and I will be thankful for you the rest of my life.
All for now...
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