LUCKY VARTORELLA

     I have hesitated to write in the last few months about the physical stuff with me, but what the heck.  I moved in June and love my new place.  However, my body sort of fell apart.  I started having pain in my back in new places and it was tough.  Then I got cocky, and got up in the middle of the night several weeks ago, didn’t wear my braces or use my crutch, and fell breaking my shoulder.  It’s fine.  Then I got a job.  I was still in a lot of pain with my back, and on the first day of work last week, the walk from the parking garage to the office almost did me in.  I worked four hours, came home and laid down on an ice pack.  Every time I moved, I would yell in pain.  Sort of a new thing.  If I sneezed, I would practically cry from the stinging of it all.  I had to bail from the job and the Bureau of Vocational Rehab closed my case and will reopen it when I am better able to work. 

     I am the luckiest girl in the world.  When I broke my hip in November, I had friends coming to the hospital and the rehab and offering love and encouragement.  When I got home, friends not only brought me meals, but took me to physical therapy and out to lunch and did my errands for me.  When I moved, friends came and helped me pack and then friends took many boxes to my new place.  Others came with me when I moved, unpacked me and put things away and even bought me household items, like a lamp and a table for the side of my bed.  One of my friends even bought me a bed.  Prior to moving, my friend Sue checked on places for me to live and continues to help me in any way she can.

     Last night was my 40^th high school reunion.  I couldn’t go.  My body wasn’t working at all.  One friend, Mary Kay, offered to bring me and I still didn’t make it so she suggested I make a video, and she would show it to our friends.  I did.  Then, all evening, she got videos of my high school friends saying hello to me and wishing me well.  It was almost like being there.

I am the luckiest girl in the world.  This summer, I was all set to go to sing with the chorus I am in at Sister Singers in Illinois.  My friend, Jill and her partner wanted me to go, so they were going to drive, and because I don’t ride well in the car, stop over night so I could rest.  Sweet huh?  However, that’s when I broke my shoulder, and the doctor suggested I stay home since it was the arm that I use the crutch with.  They were fine with that and so was the chorus even though I received a scholarship to take this trip and they would not get all their money back.  They had a spectacular time and sang with several other choruses.  The night before they left, several of them called and sang to me.  Once again, it was as if I was there.  Prior to their leaving, one friend, did grocery shopping for me and another did my laundry.  Ya, my LAUNDRY!!!

     Today, I saw some of my friends from marching band in high school.  An after reunion brunch. My friend Danna, who I have written about before, came in from Columbus.  She is one of the finest human beings I have ever met. When I broke my back in Athens Ohio, she was the nurse at the hospital they took me to in Columbus.  Even though she was getting ready for her wedding in a few months, she did a great deal to help me.  Like stay with my parents when I had surgery and then saving my life when I was given too much morphine.   And THEN staying with me all night so my parents could get some sleep.  My friend Pam was at the brunch, who is still sweet, and my friend Willow and Terri and Mary Kay came. She was the one running around the reunion with a video of me.   I sucked as a clarinet player in band, but I made wonderful friends.  The lady organizing the brunch was Kay Ovacek who worked very hard on the whole reunion and wanted us band girls to hook up.  I used to call them, "the good girls", because that's what they were and are.

    My friend Martha asked me why I think I broke my shoulder.  BECAUSE I FELL!!!  She meant metaphysically.  I think I have these physical things, so I can learn to love myself more deeply and to realize, I am the luckiest girl in the world.