A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

The day I was told that I had broken bones in my left foot, Cliff drove me to a medical supply house, and I rented a wheelchair narrow enough to go down my mobile home hallway. And, as I believe I mentioned, this has to be pushed by someone. So in addition to transferring me from bed to wheelchair, and from wheelchair to other places where I may sit, he has been pushing me up and down the hall to the den, dining room, bedroom, ad infinitum.

Several days ago he suggested that I try walking a bit. Good exercise, and all that sort of thing. I’d also been thinking about that, but had put it off for various not-very-good reasons. However, yesterday morning I got to thinking about it again, and after lunch when Cliff asked me where I wanted to go, I said, “Back to the den, but 
i want to try something.” He still has to get me on my feet, so I asked him to get my walker, pick me up, and then follow right behind me as I tried to see how far I could go under my own power.

I was anticipating perhaps half a dozen steps before collapsing into the wheelchair, but I made it all the way from the dining room, down the hall, and into the den, a distance of perhaps 20 feet, before my legs decided to protest. Now you must realize that before I broke my foot and before I had the right leg/hip pain, I didn’t walk very well or very far anyway. So I consider this quite a breakthrough! Now I need to garner enough strength to be able to stand up.

Humor:

A CARDINAL IDEA
The Pope met with his Cardinals to discuss a proposal from the Prime Minister of Israel. "Your Holiness", said one of his Cardinals, "the Prime Minister wants to challenge you to a game of golf to show the friendship and ecumenical spirit shared by the Jewish and Catholic faiths." The Pope thought this was a good idea, but he had never held a golf club in his hand. "Don't we have a Cardinal to represent me?" he asked. "None that plays very well," a Cardinal replied. "But," he added, "there is a man named Jack Nicklaus, an American golfer who is a devout Catholic. We can offer to make him a Cardinal, then ask him to play the Prime Minister as your personal representative. In addition to showing our spirit of cooperation, we'll also win the match."

Everyone agreed it was a good idea. The call was made. Of course, Nicklaus was honored and agreed to play.

The day after the match, Nicklaus reported to the Vatican to inform the Pope of the result. "I have some good news and some bad news, your Holiness, " said the golfer. "Tell me the good news first, Cardinal Nicklaus," said the Pope. "Well, your Holiness, I don't like to brag, but even though I've played some pretty terrific rounds of golf in my life, this was he best I have ever played, by far. I must've been inspired from above. My drives were long and true, my irons were accurate and purposeful, and my putting was perfect. With all due respect, my play was truly miraculous." "There's bad news?" the Pope asked. "Yes," Nicklaus sighed. "I lost to Rabbi Tiger Woods by three strokes."