Just Breathe
Whoa, what a week! I haven’t had time to blog, but it’s been sort of nice because it has given me plenty of time to think about what I want to say.This week I recalled a specific memory from my childhood. I have this clear image of myself bouncing along on a Hoppity Horse on my driveway while my dad mowed the lawn. I was probably about 5 or 6 and I was having a good time. Somehow I became distracted, or maybe I bounced too high, but either way, the ball came out from under me, I hit the ground, and I got the wind knocked out of me. It was the first time this had ever happened to me and I was startled and confused. I tried to breathe, but nothing. I began gasping, gulping, straining to inhale, but my body felt as though it was broken, unable to take in air. I panicked. I saw my dad edging the lawn and I quickly ran over to him with tears streaming down my hot, red cheeks. I thought I was going to die. He must have seen the frightened look on my face because he dropped the weed-eater and lifted me into his arms.
“What’s wrong?”
I couldn’t speak, just more gasps.
“Are you okay?”
Still nothing.
Finally, my father realized what was happening and with his hand he guided my head onto his shoulder, gently rubbed my back, and said,
“You’re going to be alright. Just wait, you’ll breathe in a second.
To me it felt like an eternity before my body began to inhale and exhale in its’ regular pattern, but eventually it happened.
I’ve thought a lot about this memory this past week. Getting the wind knocked out of you is a strange thing. I don’t know the medical explanation behind it, but what I do know is that when it does happen there is no cure but time.
There have been times when I’ve been bouncing along in life and, WHAM; I get the wind knocked out of me. I feel alone, struggling to breathe, struggling to find solace, comfort, and relief. And again, the only real remedy is time.
I’m sure at one time or another we all feel as though we’ve had the wind knocked out of us. To you, I only wish my words were as comforting and reassuring as my father’s were to me those many years ago.
Now, whenever I get the wind knocked out of me and I feel like I can’t breathe, I run to my Heavenly Father and I feel His gentle arms wrap around me, guiding me closer to Him, and I think I can hear Him say,
“You’re going to be alright. Just wait. You’ll breathe in a second.”
7 comments:
Awwwww, I love your post. And I hope everything is ok!
Thanks! By the way, nothing is wrong. This post was just an observation.
isn't it true - only time - but it does feel like forever until you can breathe again! love you tons and you are more wonderful than you know or could even fathom.
Dear Shugie, Life has it's ups and downs for sure! My grey hair attests to the fact that I have seen many of them. Someone said in conference Sunday that this is the way we return to our Heavenly Father, via ups and downs. Many of them truly knock the wind out of us, but He is always close by if we make sure we keep Him there. I love you, Shugie! Kisses and Hugs, Mom
"Time wounds all heels."
-- Grouch Marx
Sometimes we need to have the wind knocked out of us to stop us from pursuing a course of action which is harmful to ourselves or others. However, there are occasions when, for reasons that only the Lord knows, He allows us to get the wind knocked out of us.
Do we allow ourselves to learn from these experiences? Do we become callous and embittered or do we turn to God and seek His healing?
How we respond to adversity in life not only teaches us (if we let it), but it defines our character.
I'm a friend of Angie's and I just linked to your post through hers. Your writing is beautiful and I love the analogy. Thank you!
Just so you know, I was reading through your blog in an attempt to get to know you and your family better...after all it has been a long time...and this post was definitely something I needed to read right now. I appreciate your thoughtful insights so much. Thanks!
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