I’m thinking of writing another book and calling it something like, ‘Living with Wonderwoman – the Adventures of a Stroke Survivor, and her Carer’ !
Sometimes people see me with a guitar or a motorcycle helmet and assume I’m some kind of action hero but, truth be told, Hazel has always been far more adventurous than me. She was the one who went parascending in Corfu, leaving me holding our ten month old first child on the pier! It was she who organised a hot air balloon ride for us all some years later in Florida. And in the theme parks she was always in the front seat for the rollercoasters while I was quite happy to find the next coffee stop!
A stroke three years ago means she now walks slowly and only short distances and much of the time uses a wheelchair but her spirit remains undiminished. Summer past saw us visit one of our sons in the Lake District. He’s an Outdoor Pursuits Instructor there with ‘Little Big Adventures’. He and his wife were determined to get his Mum out on the lake near Conisten and she was game for it.
So they got us all kitted out in waterproofs, lashed two canoes together and tied a plastic chair into one. With our help, Hazel climbed aboard and sat, regally enjoying the view as the rest of us paddled across the water to the ice cream shop. (Incentive always helps!)
It was hugely enjoyable and gave me a rather excellent sermon illustration. I used it the Sunday after we got home, telling it as a story for the boys and girls. It went something like this.
So there she was, wanting very much to get to the other side, that was where the prize lay, that’s where we would find our reward. But in between there was this great distance. In her weakened state there was no way she could make it on her own. She had to trust in someone stronger who’d be willing to bring her safely over. Good thing the son was standing by with all we needed to meet the challenge! Under his expert guidance we made the distance and enjoyed the reward.
And there’s another thing. It was great fun doing it together. Some go out on the lake alone in single kayaks but we made a little team, doing our best to synchronise our paddling to beat the current and steer ourselves carefully to shore. How good it felt to share not just the effort but the joy of succeeding together.
Do I really need to spell out the message?
One day we will all have to pass from this life and cross to ‘the other side’. We’d like our destination to be pleasant and rewarding but how can we be confident? Our best efforts on our own might not be enough.
Christianity is a celebratory religion in which we rejoice in the Son of God Who has made it possible and will gladly bring those who trust Him to the haven we call heaven.
And while each of us needs to deal personally with Christ, we get to enjoy the journey in fellowship with other believers. We express our faith and serve and enjoy the feast together.
‘Wonderwoman’ and I have been followers since we were teenagers and highly recommend it.
Maybe we’ll see you out on the water!
Sometimes people see me with a guitar or a motorcycle helmet and assume I’m some kind of action hero but, truth be told, Hazel has always been far more adventurous than me. She was the one who went parascending in Corfu, leaving me holding our ten month old first child on the pier! It was she who organised a hot air balloon ride for us all some years later in Florida. And in the theme parks she was always in the front seat for the rollercoasters while I was quite happy to find the next coffee stop!
A stroke three years ago means she now walks slowly and only short distances and much of the time uses a wheelchair but her spirit remains undiminished. Summer past saw us visit one of our sons in the Lake District. He’s an Outdoor Pursuits Instructor there with ‘Little Big Adventures’. He and his wife were determined to get his Mum out on the lake near Conisten and she was game for it.
So they got us all kitted out in waterproofs, lashed two canoes together and tied a plastic chair into one. With our help, Hazel climbed aboard and sat, regally enjoying the view as the rest of us paddled across the water to the ice cream shop. (Incentive always helps!)
It was hugely enjoyable and gave me a rather excellent sermon illustration. I used it the Sunday after we got home, telling it as a story for the boys and girls. It went something like this.
So there she was, wanting very much to get to the other side, that was where the prize lay, that’s where we would find our reward. But in between there was this great distance. In her weakened state there was no way she could make it on her own. She had to trust in someone stronger who’d be willing to bring her safely over. Good thing the son was standing by with all we needed to meet the challenge! Under his expert guidance we made the distance and enjoyed the reward.
And there’s another thing. It was great fun doing it together. Some go out on the lake alone in single kayaks but we made a little team, doing our best to synchronise our paddling to beat the current and steer ourselves carefully to shore. How good it felt to share not just the effort but the joy of succeeding together.
Do I really need to spell out the message?
One day we will all have to pass from this life and cross to ‘the other side’. We’d like our destination to be pleasant and rewarding but how can we be confident? Our best efforts on our own might not be enough.
Christianity is a celebratory religion in which we rejoice in the Son of God Who has made it possible and will gladly bring those who trust Him to the haven we call heaven.
And while each of us needs to deal personally with Christ, we get to enjoy the journey in fellowship with other believers. We express our faith and serve and enjoy the feast together.
‘Wonderwoman’ and I have been followers since we were teenagers and highly recommend it.
Maybe we’ll see you out on the water!
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