A thank you note from Bea Ammidown
On March 31, 2015 I tripped over a curb and—only—broke both wrists.
I felt like a little fragile bird with her two wings broken. Arms in casts for 2 months. I am grateful that I did not hit my head, or break my back or legs.
5 years ago I fell and broke my right shoulder. 4 more falls happened where I injured my knees, back, wrist & foot.
30 years ago I was in a head-on auto collision. Arms, ribs, breast, nose, lungs, hip, nose, both legs, foot and eyes were injured. One leg had to be shortened.
Why have I had these incidents come to me? I have created them in order to learn about patience, trust and respect. I add faith firmly.
I thank the long list of many loving souls who have come as blessings.
May I return the good by healing daily, inspiring those who think they cannot heal, are afraid
to tell the truth and or ask for help. My three daughters, and granddaughters, my spiritual families have exemplified what service is. How the community comes forth in need—Heart Reach, MSIA. Travelers. Ministers were there, are here. I add gratefully The Brentwood Presbyterian Church and my health insurance Kaiser Permanente.
Living alone and not qualifying for convalescent care elsewhere I knew I would have resources to be cared for in my apartment. I was. One friend immediately moved in to care for me. Others were there to drive me to many doctors. These giving men and women waited, listened and cared. They shopped, prepared dishes, cut my food. Others took me out to eat, to the hairdresser and for mani/pedi. It felt so good to care for my appearance. I was shampooed in my kitchen sink; sponged, my whole sore, dry body rubbed with lotion and massaged by massage therapists. My physical therapist / Yoga therapist / friend came to my home, (and … yes! a house call) to care for me and placed kinesiology tapes on my arms and right shoulder.
I was dressed, fed, and taken on slow gentle walks in a park so I would feel safe and balanced.
Students continued to attend my home/studio YogAbility classes. Seated in a chair, right after the fall, arms in casts, my instructions were followed responsibly and with appreciation.
Doors and mail needed to be opened, groceries put away, laundry done, a housekeeper, and a caregiver were offered as gifts. Unexpected, generous donations came in the mail to assist me with expenses due to my loss of work outside my home/studio. I was assisted with trips to the bank, post office, and cleaners. I note that the time I spent with these many people, ministers all, gave me the opportunity to get closer to each one. This includes the medical staff.
I could have blamed or judged these accidents. I am forgiving and thanking God which is Love … for all that has come to me and knowing that I may and I have made this … for my very highest good.
At 77 I continue to practice and instruct gentle Yoga therapeutics, adding for my recovery physical and occupational therapy daily. I walk, swim and drive.
May I exemplify how a senior woman restores, changes her pace (reducing her activities), modifies her needs, is honest and mindful 24/7 about her situation.
I am so grateful to be able once more to hold a book and turn pages, write with a pen, use my computer; to resume my YogAbility instruction and my journalistic life.
Again, thank you and please note I am wishing to offer back the “more than I need” by being of service. Please friends and family let me know how I may be there for you.
Bea Ammidown’s Ordination & Blessing 1982
“One of the keys is that of compassion and empathy. For though this has been your experience in this life, you will begin to know it now from the source. Through it you will begin to discover the unity of all things, so that which appears to be independent action, independent thought, independent will, will begin to merge and blend into the oneness that is.
Through this then, you will begin to experience the depth that is within the hearts of others and most assuredly the depth of your own.
Through this discover the tranquility that is of spirit, the timeless quality, the stillness within action, the abundance and vitality within peace.”
I offer one free class to all MSIA ministers who have not taken one. Many have taken this when I taught at Prana years ago. Nice to share this again.
– Bea Ammidown | email bea@yogability.org
This article was published in the September | October 2015 edition of the New Day Herald Online Magazine, available via ISSUU.
Browse the magazine below by using right and left arrows. Simply click a page to read the full article.
You are an inspiration Bea. Thank you for sharing this.