Sunday, February 28, 2021

#sosmagic: The Power of Notebook Rereading


I’m joining an open community of writers over at Sharing Our Stories: Magic in a Blog. If you write (or want to write) just for the magic of it, consider this your invitation to join us.#sosmagic


#sosmagic: The Power of Notebook Rereading 

I'm reaching the end of my current writing notebook. Before I shelve that notebook and begin the next, one of my rituals is to look back and reread some of the things that I was thinking or noticing as I filled that book. I am almost always surprised what I discover; I forget things so easily. Remembering by rereading my writing often serves as an unexpected gift. Rereading this notebook was no exception - I was reminded of a recent surgery and my recovery period.   

In late November, I had carpal tunnel release surgery on my right wrist (my writing hand). In the first few days following my surgery, my wrist was swollen and bandaged. Although I had limited mobility in my right wrist, it was difficult to do the most simple things, like shower, put on shoes, or even open a convenience container of food. Yet I wanted to keep writing, so for a few days I wrote using my left hand. 

Below is a haiku I wrote shortly after my surgery (left-handed):

Carpal tunnel fix/
Icing, elevating hand/
Repeat new routine. 


Immediately following my surgery, I found myself full of gratitude for my body parts that worked well and didn't cause me pain. I was thankful that I could write or type using my left hand. During this time, I thought often about people who need to adapt to a sudden disability/pain and how challenging this must be. 

Three months after my surgery, I have full mobility again in my right hand and wrist. However, until I reread some of my notebook writing, I had forgotten how difficult the first few days following my recovery were. I am glad that I have a record of this time - a sharp reminder of how precious and sacred our bodies are.


8 comments:

  1. Your final sentence is so true. We don't appreciate the working parts until they aren't working so well. Congrats on finishing another notebook. Rereading past thinking is such a smart move.

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    1. Thank you! The older I get, the more I appreciate my body!

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  2. Congratulations on finishing your notebook! I will say, your left handed writing is so much better than mine would be! Yes, our bodies are precious and sacred, but many times, it during situations like surgery or injury when we realized it!

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    1. Thank you! I began as a left-handed writer. I broke my left arm in preschool and had to switch to writing with my right hand. I never returned to left hand writing.

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  3. It's so surprising the things we can forget. One of the reasons to love our writing is the way it helps us remember. I recently returned to PT for numbness in my hand, likely a pinched nerve. A few sessions later, I'm good to go again. I am grateful for working body parts. Every single one of them.

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  4. LOVE your haiku. Always awesome to be able to re-read our thoughts from our writing notebooks. Thanks for sharing yours.

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  5. I love how your writing helped you relive a memory and filled you with gratitude all over again!

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  6. You Haiku is so sweet. I wish I could be more organized with my notebooks like you. I never take time to go back and reread... but my notebooks are precious to me. Thank you for sharing. This week I hurt my left knee... on black ice. I'm so hoping for some healing in the next few days... XO

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