One of the challenges of writing this memo every week is deciding what to write about. I’m often conflicted. While I’d like to think whatever gets written is somewhat relevant; sometimes I just enjoy telling a story. I often don’t know what point I’m making until I get to the end. Which, when you think about it, is often how the incidents and accidents of our lives become relevant.
The one story I’ve been waiting to tell is about meeting my present physical therapist. Let’s call him Fred, which is not his real name. Fred is a unique personality in the world of physical therapist as I’ve experienced it. Most of the PT people I’ve known are very young and very in shape and very excited in their intention on helping you get back to where you need to be. This is not a complaint… I’ve appreciated everything every physical therapist has ever done to help me, even though at the time I my not have “appreciated” the means of encouragement.
A few weeks ago when I was on my way to my first PT appointment, I was preparing myself for the stereotypical young, energetic physical therapist I have come to expect. Fred is different. Fred is a tall, lean, 60ish guy who you would guess might be a librarian. At our first meeting he had a quiet, deliberate manner, very caring… a great listener...he had a soothing voice. He was encouraging and gentle. He was Mr. Rogers.
I don’t mean this to sound in any way like a critique, but initially I was conflicted. I have usually gone into physical therapy with the mindset of an athlete with a very difficult goal to achieve. Obviously Fred was not going to have the “rah rah let’s get it done” attitude I’ve come to expect. However, his soothing voice telling me…”that was very good, now let’s try this.” And when he said, “Everybody gets better,” with the same tone and conviction that you could imagine Mr. Rogers invoking, he won me over.
Fred is a great physical therapist for me. He is teaching me to pay attention to and be patient with my body. These are lessons that are difficult for me to learn, and I need someone like Fred. As we have spent time together, Fred no longer is a Mr. Rogers character. Turns out he rides a bike… a lot….at least enough to appear interested when I’m going on and on about what kind of biking I’m hoping to do when we have finished our work together.
I’m not sure what this story means to you… what it has come to mean to me is something like: you never know where or when or through whom or in what matter the help you need is going to arrive. At this time in my life, nothing could be more relevant.
Keep the Faith,
Pastor Dan
The one story I’ve been waiting to tell is about meeting my present physical therapist. Let’s call him Fred, which is not his real name. Fred is a unique personality in the world of physical therapist as I’ve experienced it. Most of the PT people I’ve known are very young and very in shape and very excited in their intention on helping you get back to where you need to be. This is not a complaint… I’ve appreciated everything every physical therapist has ever done to help me, even though at the time I my not have “appreciated” the means of encouragement.
A few weeks ago when I was on my way to my first PT appointment, I was preparing myself for the stereotypical young, energetic physical therapist I have come to expect. Fred is different. Fred is a tall, lean, 60ish guy who you would guess might be a librarian. At our first meeting he had a quiet, deliberate manner, very caring… a great listener...he had a soothing voice. He was encouraging and gentle. He was Mr. Rogers.
I don’t mean this to sound in any way like a critique, but initially I was conflicted. I have usually gone into physical therapy with the mindset of an athlete with a very difficult goal to achieve. Obviously Fred was not going to have the “rah rah let’s get it done” attitude I’ve come to expect. However, his soothing voice telling me…”that was very good, now let’s try this.” And when he said, “Everybody gets better,” with the same tone and conviction that you could imagine Mr. Rogers invoking, he won me over.
Fred is a great physical therapist for me. He is teaching me to pay attention to and be patient with my body. These are lessons that are difficult for me to learn, and I need someone like Fred. As we have spent time together, Fred no longer is a Mr. Rogers character. Turns out he rides a bike… a lot….at least enough to appear interested when I’m going on and on about what kind of biking I’m hoping to do when we have finished our work together.
I’m not sure what this story means to you… what it has come to mean to me is something like: you never know where or when or through whom or in what matter the help you need is going to arrive. At this time in my life, nothing could be more relevant.
Keep the Faith,
Pastor Dan
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