Scars

I am well recovered from my surgery in June, though it took surprisingly longer than I thought to clear even the moderate anesthesia from my system. Now I have a very ugly scar on my previously rather nice shoulder. I have plans for a small tattoo over it, but am not sure what. I feel it will take getting used to. I keep thinking of how many people bear scars, psychic and physical, and how they become part of our landscape. God knows, I have got both, and I think the grace comes in learning how to bear everything with equanimity. I'm not perfect--when I took off the bandage on my shoulder, I was really sad. I can feel the scar tissue when I dance and need to find ways to keep the skin supple there. But I am glad my tumor is gone--my arm has never felt so wonderful, free of pain and numbness--and that I am okay. I still have work to do in this life, and am grateful I am here.