Morning Madness: The Mr. Bean Shower
Recovery isn’t always graceful. Some days, post-injury life feels like a full-blown Mr. Bean episode — juggling crutches, wheelchairs, shower products, and an unexpectedly rebellious razor. Today was one of those days.
I woke up feeling sluggish, dragging myself into the morning, and decided it was time to face the world — starting with the simple, yet monumental, task of taking a shower. Easy, right? Wrong.
Somehow, my bathroom transformed into a circus. Picture me maneuvering my wheelchair toward the bathroom while balancing bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and toner like a human Jenga tower. Then came the acrobatics: swapping to crutches, trying to get into the shower before the water ran, and discovering that razors apparently have a mind of their own. One flew across the shower like a small missile. Shampoo and toner stayed firmly on the other side of my attention span. And, of course, the water couldn’t decide if it wanted to be hot, cold, or somewhere in between.
At this point, I fully expected a laugh track to kick in. Only it didn’t. It was just me, my stubbornness, and a bathroom that seemed determined to test my patience. And yet, somehow, I survived this part of my recovery journey.
Midday Pause: Slower, Different, but Beautiful
Later, a lovely neighbor stopped by with her dog. Normally, I’d be racing off somewhere, ticking through my endless to-do list, but today we actually had time to chat — really chat — without interruptions.
She even offered to take me out sometime, just to get me out of the house. Her daughter, a well-known athlete, had faced her own injuries, and hearing a little about that reminded me how post-injury life isn’t just about physical healing — it’s as much about mental resilience.
By midday, all I’d accomplished was showering and eating breakfast. In my pre-injury life, I’d have walked the dog, met friends for coffee, done errands, and probably played with the kids. Many times I used to say, “Geez, the day’s over by 11 a.m.” But now, life is slower — sometimes frustrating, yes — but also full of moments I might otherwise rush past. The pace is different, but there’s a strange beauty in noticing it.
Afternoon Joy: Sunshine, Friends, and Chocolate
The afternoon completely turned my day around. Three beautiful friends arrived, armed with flowers, chocolates, and cards — and the best gift of all: their company.
We sat in the sunshine, chatting without anyone needing to dash off mid-sentence. Just warmth, laughter, and the joy of being fully present. Moments like these are the small but important victories in physical and emotional recovery.
Evening Laughter: My Cousin’s Priceless Wisdom
Then came the evening twist — an impromptu visit from my aunt and my amazing cousin, who has special needs. From the moment he walked in, he was full of one-liners and pure joy.
At one point, he asked me, “How’s the leg, Marie?” I said, “Oh, I think I’ll chop it off.”
He looked horrified and said, “Ah no, Marie, you can’t chop it off!”
I laughed, “Why not?” And with complete seriousness, he said, “’Cause you only have two of them, and sure… where would you put the other one?”
The lightheartedness of it all — that mix of innocence and wit — just made my day. Laughter, connection, and small joyful moments like this are just as important as the physical progress in any recovery journey.
By the time I climbed into bed, I was still smiling. The day that started with chaos, flying razors, and frustration ended with sunshine, chocolate, and laughter.
It reminded me that recovery isn’t just about healing your body. It’s about showing up, even on the hard days. Getting dressed. Letting people in. And remembering that no matter how slow things feel, you still matter — your story, your smile, your presence.
Sometimes the best medicine is laughter shared with friends, sunshine on your face, and a little chocolate on the side.
Takeaways: Lessons from a Day of Chaos and Joy
- Celebrate small wins – Even getting through a shower can be a victory worth cheering in your post-injury life.
- Slow down and notice – Life may feel slower during recovery, but small moments of joy become much clearer.
- Let humor in – Flying razors and witty cousin remarks can lighten even the hardest physical rehabilitation days.
- Reach out and accept help – Connecting with friends, family, or neighbors supports both mental health and recovery.
- Find joy in the unexpected – Sunshine, chocolate, laughter, and cards can turn a frustrating day into a memorable one.
- Recovery is both mental and physical – Healing isn’t just about your body; it’s about mindset, patience, and appreciating small victories.
