Lessons From the Edge

Everything is better with a friend by your side.

Solomon said two are better than one, and I saw the truth in that statement this week.

I went to a rehab facility to visit one of my favorite residents. He’s been in the hospital and now is going through rehabilitation so he can get strong enough to move back home.
While I was there, it was time for D to go to physical therapy, so I tagged along. The therapist put weights around D’s ankles and gave him an exercise to do. Only D wasn’t very excited about it. As in, he wasn’t trying very hard. So I cheered him on and started doing the exercise with him, counting each rep and encouraging him to make a good effort.
The therapist had D do a few more things and then it was time to walk. It was also time for me to get to work so I said, “I have to go now. So I’ll walk with you.” But when the therapist told D to stand up, he just sat there. He repeated the command, “Whenever you’re ready, stand up.” But D kept not moving. So I looked at him and said, “Let’s stand up together. On the count of three, come on. 1, 2, 3.” And we both stood up.

The scene reminded me of many other times someone at Edgewood has been hesitant to do something, or go somewhere. But – somehow - just saying, “Come on. I’ll do it with you,” has gotten them to move. Because they weren’t alone. Solomon was right.

Everything is better with a friend by your side.