As in all stories that occur in 2020, details may seem exaggerated or even incredulous, but as we have come to understand in previous months, murder hornets, erupting volcanoes and birds carrying sharks can actually happen in the same year.
So begins my tale…
When we landed in our new country in February we had exactly one week of freedom before all of the COVID-related lockdowns began. Through the next several months, various restrictions would be imposed and lifted, imposed and lifted. During the times that we could walk those precious 100 meters from our home, John and I would take laps in our neighborhood to breathe in non-apartment air and also check out the sites.
A surprising sight appeared one day as a wild boar trotted his way across our path toward a trashcan that he found particularly interesting. This was no small boar. I froze and instantly became the “Boar Whisperer.” Our eyes locked and just as I knew he would come to me and become my friend. Non-plussed, he snorted a bit, clawed the sidewalk and went about rooting through the food treasures.
I couldn’t get past the fact that wild boars were known to run through town and everyone knew it. I was especially surprised that these pigs were allowed to wander free in the country we lived in. Why? What? How come…?
I had so many questions, but wildly varying answers were given in regard to Boris (the boar’s new name). Boris became a symbol of all that this country is and all that 2020 emerged to be…
Surprising.
Head-shaking.
Questions that created more questions.
Let me pause for a moment and fast-forward to this summer in 2020. I had managed to somehow tweak my back in such a way that it made me reconsider this whole aging thing. I wish I could say that I hurt it while reeling in a swordfish from Mediterranean waters when actually I think it was more of a swift reaching for a Diet Coke that caused it.
Anyway, as the weeks progressed so did the pain in my back which ultimately began shooting down my leg. Ah, yes! Sciatica, my old friend.
During the times that the pain was rather intense, I would apply a heating pad to my leg and keep it there as it was the only thing that brought relief. So over the next few weeks I continued this procedure along with some ice packs and slowly began to notice improvement. Huzzah!
It was just at this moment of encouraging recovery that I noticed that my leg had taken on a reptilian look about it. What is that?! I contorted myself to look at my calf better only to see that I had somehow grown scales overnight…or at least the appearance of them.
I showed John and he did not manage a poker face. “Oh, wow!” he said.
I immediately hit Google to diagnose myself. Yes, after perusing images of similar and of course, more horrifying ones…it seems that I have what is called “Toasted Leg Syndrome.” We’ll call it TLS from here on out. I can’t believe it. If you recall in previous posts, I had a case of “Worm Leg” in my right leg from our time in Sudan. This case of TLS is in my left leg, so now I am balanced out.
Worms on the right. Reptiles on the left.
Sounds like the perfect cheer for 2020.
So what does Boris have to do with my toasted leg? I just think that just as Boris has found himself in an unpredictable position, so do we. He didn’t ask for the conditions he’s in, but he’s out there trying to live his best boarish life. 2020 didn’t unfold for any of us as we imagined…like at all, but God has not left His throne or left us out of His care.
All of this year (and you can now insert any of the many things we’ve all experienced) has created a deeper sensitivity to others. I have greater compassion for those just trying to make it through the day.
At this Christmas season…especially this year…the idea of Emmanuel, God with Us, really is JOY TO THE WORLD! We’re not on our own. Jesus lived on earth with us. He lived during the very difficult time of the Roman empire yet He continued to speak love and joy and peace to those He met. He lives with us now offering hope and peace.
So as I prop up my toasty leg and watch Boris from our balcony, I’m at peace. No, 2020 hasn’t made sense in a lot of ways, but we can learn, grow, love and even root up a tasty babka now and then.
Recent Comments