Let's Get It Started, Shall We?

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.


By: Shel Silverstein


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Why the poem you may ask?  This has always been one of my favorites.  A little childish, I'm sure, but Shel always has a way with his words, doesn't he?  These exact words seem to have such a relevance in my life right now.  Right now I am not what you would say is in the place where "the sun burns crimson bright, [and] the moon-bird rests from his flight".  It seems like daily there is always something that keeps me from that rest.


My husband is active duty with the US Army (support the troops!).  Over the last year, we have seen each other a total of 2 weeks.  Is it hard?  Of course it is, but the show must go on right?  I have a job to do.  I have a life to live.  I have people that depend on me.  


In January, we made the decision to cut my teaching contract short so I could be with him in Germany (before his looming deployment to Afghanistan).  My resignation was in and the last day was set: May 11th.  Then, how does the saying go? The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry?  Is that the one?  Yeah ... well ... 35 minutes into step aerobics (CRACK, SNAP) and I blew out my knee.  Tore my ACL and completely flipped over my meniscus.  Seems like the Big Man upstairs really didn't want me to be in Germany.  1 ER visit and 2 trips to the surgeon later, a plan was set for a years worth of surgery and rehabilitation.  OUCH.  I wasn't going anywhere - so it was time to beg for my job back.


My first surgery happened in February.  I was the lucky recipient of a brand new bone graft, a meniscus repair (it goes the right way now!) and removal of torn tissue.  My husband couldn't be here for the surgery (as he is stationed overseas), and I had to fight the nurses to let me keep my phone to talk to him.  Closed in a curtained room, texting as fast as my little fingers could text, I texted until they were rolling me in.  3 hours of surgery later - woke up sick and paste white, buying myself a lovely overnight stay in a 5 star resort (my very own hospital room!)

Recovery and rehab seemed to be a piece of cake.  I went back to work after a week.  I was determined to get back to my students, even if my knee was the size of a cantaloupe!  Worked seemed fine, I had some observations in my classroom, students were great at helping me get what I needed, and 6 weeks later I was walking!  I missed walking.  The simple things in life are sometimes taken for granted.  I didn't want to sit or lay down again ever!


My one goal was to be able to walk when my husband came home for a visit in April, and wouldn't you know?  I did it!  We had a great time just spending time with each other - watching TV, going on sushi and movie dates.  It was perfect.

Then I found out I wouldn't be coming back to my job.  I resigned.  Why?  Who knows.  I can only assume that it was military related, but can I tell you my heart was broken.  For the last two years I put my heart and soul into my classroom and my students and the news was a slap in the face.


Then I got mail from my insurance telling my my surgery was medically unnecessary and I would have to pay for my surgery.  All $14,000 of it.


Then I lost $200 buying a plane ticket for Joey when his orders got cancelled.  No refund.  Nothing. Zip.


Then I missed Joey's first military ball. 

Starting to get sick of the bad news yet?  Yeah ... me too.


So here I am today, writing my little story, hoping that it will help anyone feel better about their situation.  Hoping that it will inspire someone to write their own story.  Hoping it will inspire someone to give a helping hand to someone in need.  Hoping it will inspire someone to thank a teacher or a soldier for their service.


And what does this have to do with "Where The Sidewalk Ends"?  Someday (soon I hope!) I am going to see the sun burning crimson bright and find a place to rest. So I'm just going to keep taking it one day at a time, cause the show must go on, right?