MARY.
Even before the events of this past summer, I had already picked the word "strength" to describe my Aunt Mary. And after watching her struggles over these past months, it is THE word that truly defines who she is to me. It isn't the physical definition, but the internal one: mental power and moral courage. Strength is what she has taught me about living.
Even before the events of this past summer, I had already picked the word "strength" to describe my Aunt Mary. And after watching her struggles over these past months, it is THE word that truly defines who she is to me. It isn't the physical definition, but the internal one: mental power and moral courage. Strength is what she has taught me about living.
As a role-model to the younger Routley women, she taught us to never wither; to attack each day with courage and to to never waste a moment. Always soldiering on, she greets life with a calm, internal strength and an amazing sense of humor.
This past July, I was reminded of her fearlessness. Aunt Mary suffered a fall that resulted in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). At 74, such an injury could have been detrimental, even deadly, to someone her age, and someone with less internal fortitude. But she battled back, one small step (figuratively and literally) at a time.
The first time I saw her after her accident, she sat in a wheel-chair quietly looking out a window, hardly speaking. The next day, she had the strength to sit on the edge of the bed, willing her feet to touch the ground. Two days later, she was making small steps with the help of her son. Two weeks later she was headed home. A month after her accident, she was attending a baby-shower for my daughter with the help of a walker.
It was an incredible reminder of how to overcome overwhelming obstacles or achieve lofty goals; face these tough moments ONE DAY AT A TIME and with focus, determination and pure WILL you can DO IT.
This past July, I was reminded of her fearlessness. Aunt Mary suffered a fall that resulted in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). At 74, such an injury could have been detrimental, even deadly, to someone her age, and someone with less internal fortitude. But she battled back, one small step (figuratively and literally) at a time.
The first time I saw her after her accident, she sat in a wheel-chair quietly looking out a window, hardly speaking. The next day, she had the strength to sit on the edge of the bed, willing her feet to touch the ground. Two days later, she was making small steps with the help of her son. Two weeks later she was headed home. A month after her accident, she was attending a baby-shower for my daughter with the help of a walker.
It was an incredible reminder of how to overcome overwhelming obstacles or achieve lofty goals; face these tough moments ONE DAY AT A TIME and with focus, determination and pure WILL you can DO IT.
"I think women are amazing creatures. They are tough when they know how to be tough, brave enough to be tender and have the courage to laugh at themselves." -Author Unknown
