Today I dismantled my fake Christmas tree. I don’t know about you but I find it so depressing. What was a few hours ago covered in lights, decorations and tinsel is now hidden for another year in a cardboard box.
To make the effort of assembling the tree worthwhile I considered just leaving it up until next Christmas (like my outdoor tree lights) but decided that I was just being lazy. Besides, all the presents underneath were all unwrapped. So after a few hours, the spot’s empty and I’m covered in pine needle scratches.
I admit though, that each year since my stroke, the task of assembling or dismantling my tree has become easier. From watching others decorate it in my wheelchair, to precariously placing decorations on the bottom branches to accommodate my balance to now being able to do it independently.
It is so easy to focus on what you can’t do – y
our disability and not your ability. To not do something simply because you can no longer do it like you previously did. But consider that in doing it, maybe a bit differently, you’ll feel exhilarated and satisfied that you did try your best to be involved.
So tonight I’m sitting here sad that Christmas’ over but satisfied that despite my physical limitations, I can continue to partake in the festive activities that I’d once done. Satisfied that I can now do most tasks independently and hopeful that with practise and time, it’ll only just get easier:)