I Made It Throught The Rain

 

Just coming out of surgery

Today, I went to physical therapy as I usually do twice a week, working to strengthen my knee and improve my flexion—my bend.

As I was completing my 30 stair climbs, my therapist looked at me and asked, “How would you feel if today were your last day?”

“I’d love that!” I immediately replied.

Suddenly, all the therapists and patients called out, “Happy graduation!”

As one woman was leaving, she looked at me and said, “I can’t wait until I can move like you.”

Her words stopped me for a moment. After months of concentrating on what I still couldn’t do, someone else saw me as an example of what she hoped to achieve. It made me realize just how far I have come.

As I continued with the rest of my exercises, I felt all sorts of emotions. For seven straight months, I have gone to physical therapy twice a week. It interrupted my spring and summer. It made me tired and, at times, cranky. There were days when the pain brought me to tears—and other days when we celebrated every hard-earned success.

Today, I thought about all of that. I felt proud and relieved, but also a little scared.

Can I continue healing on my own? Will I have the willpower to get on the bike, do my leg lifts and bridges, and roll that exercise ball when no one is standing beside me encouraging me?

My physical therapist hugged me and told me I was ready. He also reminded me that if I ever feel I need to come back, I can.


I told him I felt like a fledgling leaving the security and support of the nest. I know I’m ready to fly, but taking that first flight on my own still feels a little uncertain.

As I pulled out of the parking lot to drive home, Barry Manilow’s “I Made It Through the Rain” came on the radio.

Of course it did.

It is a song about perseverance, hope, and coming through a difficult experience on the other side.

“I made it through the rain.”

Seven months of hard work, pain, frustration, encouragement, and small victories—and today, I graduated.

I made it through. ❤️

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