And the countdown begins...

That sounds ominous doesn't it? It sounds as though the ship is on self destruct and everybody should run for their lives. In fact it is a countdown to freedom, at least sometimes, from this wheelchair. It is the countdown to wearing two shoes, less leg shaving time, quicker pedicures and getting my mail myself. It is the countdown to countless good things. And yet I feel sad for the loss I have to endure in order to gain. I guess this is the ultimate no pain no gain.
Yesterday I went to Phillip's Park Zoo with my sister Judy and her husband Jim. It was a wonderful day, sunny and warm. The park was busy with all the winter shut ins running for the sun. I wanted to go and enjoy the day since I am not sure how long it will be until I go out and enjoy the weather again. Two interesting things happened involving the motorized chair I use. First, a male turkey thought the chair and I was another male turkey (the nerve, I was wearing make up and pretty jewelry). Mr Gobbler followed me up and down the fence of the enclosure. His feathers were ruffled and puffed up obviously agitated but he did not make any overt aggressive moves, something I learned later he was prone to do. Apparently the red chair and the orange shirt I was wearing gave me the appearance of competition. Afterwards I did have to check a mirror and make sure it wasn't the appearance of a waddle that caused his confusion.
The second thing was more pleasant. I made friends with a beautiful macaw named Mango. He was very animated and he and I would bob are heads up and down and twist around to watch each other. He was much better at that then me, since he was practically standing on his head, a feat I was not going to even attempt. While we went through this little game he suddenly said hello. I said hello back, and was stunned that he had spoken. I moved on to another exhibit but was drawn back to Mango. We went through our head bobbing, twisting and contortions but this time I said hello. His head popped up and he stared at me and said hello back. People behind me were giggling at the two of us and our routine and laughed when he talked. I never heard him say hello again while I was looking at the other exhibits. I asked the docent at the entrance about the two behaviours and learned about my turkey's behavior and Mango's. She told me that Mango rarely talks and she thought the chair was probably something new that got his attention. She also explained about the aggressive turkey. Interesting that even in the animal world a wheelchair is interpreted in different ways.
We followed the zoo visit with a visit to the greenhouse to get ideas for the spring / summer planting and topped it off with pizza at Lou Malnatti's. Restaurants can be an obstacle course for a wheelchair and luckily for me I had the electric or I think I would still be stuck between tables. The pizza was great and it was great again for lunch today.
On Saturday I put my life and checkbook in my son Mike's hands. I think he loves me and won't tell them to pull the plug during a nap. He already knows that the checking account is frightening so I feel confident he will not put me debt. I found it hard to read the forms, and not because I did not have my glasses on. It is all too real to put your life's contingency plan on paper and sign off on it.
I forgot many times in the day about the upcoming change in my life and was able to enjoy the day fully. But today I had to get back to reality and make more final preparations at work and with the doctor and prosthetist. I realized I had packed my hospital bag but forgot to back my bag for my sister Peg's house. I think she would appreciate it if I wore clean clothes while there. The iPod is ready, the book is backed, and a dark chocolate Godiva bar is ready for emergency emotional pick me up. I think I am almost ready, or as ready as I can be.