The Little Things in Life

Submitted by Mark Lewis

I was lying in a Johannesburg hospital bed with my brother leaning overhead to clear the obstruction from my nose. The gastric tube in my nose made it difficult to breathe and breathing with my mouth open only made matters worse, creating a sore throat as the tube shifted from side to side. It was 48 hours since I broke my neck on the beaches of the Seychelles.

I spent the next six months in hospitals and rehabilitation before I would begin my life as a quadriplegic. I was a couple months into my rehabilitation when some friends that I had been traveling with on that fateful day came to visit. I was up in a wheelchair so we left my hospital bedroom and went to the common area to chat.

Talking to my friend, I couldn't help but focus on my nose. It felt like there was something blocking my left nostril. My instinct was to pick it, but my arm was weak. I could hardly move my arm and couldn't move my hands or fingers. Soon, my focus was entirely of my nose and I became determined.

By pulling my arms in and touching my hands together I was able to work them up to my face. I only had a couple muscles to work with. Next, I wiggled my limp thumb into my nose by maneuvering my arm and picked what I consider to be a great achievement. It was the first time since my accident that I was able to reach my face with my hand.

No sooner had I finished, my mother gasped in disgust. Moments later, however, she too realized my accomplishment and we all chuckled as we discussed what else I could get away with.

Just two months prior, I was in the ICU relying on my brother to pick my nose. You truly don't know the importance of something until it's taken away from you.

Life has a funny way of reminding you of what's important. As you live your life, focus on the simple things that bring you joy. During life's downs, it's the little things that have a way of bringing joy and carrying you through to the next high.

While my mother doesn't approve these days, I rarely miss a chance to pick my nose.

Submitted by Mark Lewis on June 28^th, 2010