The restlessness of “light duty” flashes like heat lightning across my consciousness. Since the report from my lumbar MRI included a terrifying list of diagnoses including disc herniation, bulging, extrusion, desiccation, and protrusion in close proximity to a nerve root, along with a few other injuries, I’m basically confined to vertical tasks. In my head, I sing the Dead Horses lyrics, “I don’t know much, but I know that pity is a sick thing”. There is peace of mind in the knowing and mercy in a high dose of steroids to knock back the imposing inflammation, then spinal injections next week. Organic vegetable farming takes its toll on your lower back and I’m receiving this diagnosis as a wakeup call to assiduously practice mindful movements, self care, and body love, but the heat lightning bristles beneath every thought.

~Joy