Common Sense
Author: Bill Garwood
Article Published: 09/18/2026 Volume: 5 Edition: 11The subject for today, folks, is pain!
I speak from experience; I’m not a fan of pain. Getting to my august age of 72, I have suffered many different ailments and injuries - sometimes at the same time. However, the most painful “pain” is watching someone you love, or at least care about, suffer with serious pain or illness. That is a hurt that bothers many people, and it isn’t something that is easy to deal with - for either party!
When those we care about, be they family or friends, are hurting, it’s not always easy to help. We do all we can, but most times the person who is ailing can’t always explain what it is they feel. Most times all we can do is be ready to help them and love them!
Nowadays there are so many strange and debilitating illnesses that seem to take our loved ones away from us. This is a very hurtful event, and it brings suffering to all involved. Save your memories, stay around to give care where you can, and yes, love them!
Isn’t it interesting that it depends on the type of pain someone feels, as to how funny it can be? Years ago I was walking on top of my armored vehicles - the ones assigned to me. I happened to step over one driver’s compartment hatch, or at least I thought I stepped over it. One leg went over the other and I went down into the hatch, slamming my lower back onto the hatch lid. OUCH! One of the other workers saw this misstep and asked if I was ok, as I’m sitting half in and half out of the hatch with one leg in the air. When I said I was ok, he started laughing - Loud! I remember the story going around our mechanic’s shop - good fun. Years later I learned I had twisted a vertebra and crushed the disc. After a slight pain, I seemed ok - I wasn’t. But it was a good story! This is American humor.
Pain is subjective - who does it affect? If there doesn’t seem to be any serious injury, it can seem amusing. Today we know that injury can change your life. I once fell off a mountain in New Mexico. Talk about getting a flash of… white light; yep, there it was. Luckily, I bounced a few more times and came awake into a hot desert day. It was not a fun experience! The good Lord watches out for us; never doubt that, but we all need to be careful in hazardous surroundings.
If and when you experience pain, make sure you tell the Doctor exactly what and where you feel it. They can be of great assistance - if they know what you are feeling! Don’t just rattle your head at them - talk!
Stay well, stay healthy. Fall Fest is right around the corner. Right now, we have blessed cool weather. Time to wash the flannel shirts and long underwear. Enjoy our Autumn and be careful.
