The Ledger

By Patricia McClellan

It turns out that living with one hand tied behind your back isn’t just an expression.  It has been my way of life for the last 5 weeks.

For starters, every shower begins with a trip to Walmart—not the store, but the stash of Walmart plastic bags in my pantry. I slip one over my cast, tie it using my teeth and raise my hand to keep the water from dripping down inside. If fashion magazines ever feature the “Spring Walmart Bag Collection,” I’ll already be ahead of the curve.

Then there’s my dishwasher, which has been patiently waiting on a replacement part for over a month. That means yours truly is back to washing dishes by hand. To keep from absentmindedly sticking my cast under the running water, I stand there with my arm tucked behind my back like I’m hidinga cookie from my mama If the neighbors peeked through the window, they’d probably think I was practicing for a military inspection.

Getting dressed has become an Olympic event. I finally put a key ring on the zipper of my pants so I could actually get them zipped with one hand. Necessity truly is the mother of invention—and apparently the aunt of improvisation.

Opening a can of green beans? That required a manual can opener, a hammer, a pair of pliers, and a knife. By the time I got the can open, I wasn’t sure whether I was fixing supper or auditioning for a home improvement show.

Eating has become its own adventure. I discovered I can wedge a knife between my cast and my hand to cut my food. Getting it from the plate to my mouth with my left hand is another story. I’ve worn almost as much food as I’ve eaten. Although, judging by my waistline, my stomach still seems to be winning.

Even brushing my teeth has become a strategy session. I lay the toothpaste on the counter and punch the tube with my fist until enough lands on my toothbrush. It’s not pretty, but it gets the job done. Whoever invented squeeze tubes clearly had two working hands.

This whole experience has reminded me that we often take the little things for granted—until they become the hard things. Sometimes God slows us down so we’ll accept help, laugh at ourselves, and remember that strength isn’t always found in doing everything on our own. Sometimes it’s found in humility, gratitude, and even a Walmart bag tied around your arm.