Last night while watching an episode of CSI: NY I had to tivo rewind at one point in order to copy down a phrase said by one of the shows characters. In a confrontational scene, Sheldon says to Danny who is slacking on his walking rehab, "Pain is the payment for each precious thing." I honestly have trouble thinking of a statement that could possible be more true. Some examples;
I think of college. I think of so many difficult courses, situations, arguments, etc., all of which made college more enjoyable, valuable and yes, precious. Want more specific? How about the kidney stone I was blessed with on Halloween of my sophomore year? While all my friends are out having fun, dressed up as the Mario Bros cast, I lie in pain on my dorm room futon. You may ask where the precious comes. The precious is in the single friend who came back to take care of me. The one friend who called her nurse mother to figure out what we should do. The single friend that took me to the hospital, waited while I had tests done, took me to the Mankato hospital the following morning and waited their until my mother made it. A friend that in those most painful moments became so very special.
How about marathons? I have not spoken to a single sole who enjoyed mile 25. In fact one even said he was unable to sleep for three days because his legs were just too sore. Although I have not had the opportunity, or maybe have not sought it, I can imagine the precious, unforgettable moment that is crossing the finish line. A recent ecstatic finisher told me, "The medal was totally worth the $75 entry fee." I can't imagine the physically climb of Mount Everest to be the most enjoyable of occasions, but the view from the top...well I've seen pictures. What about Relay for Life? Isn't the whole idea about persevering through the pain in order to have a more precious view on life. On a personal note I can think of hikes, several miles long on difficult terrain while my feet scream for relief. One of the fondest memories I have is the moment I put those travelled feet in a Colorado Lake after six miles of rock, dirt and hill. Our final destination lake, just Tawny and I, in solitude, admiring distant waterfalls.
Love? Marriage? Same story (at least I would bet with marriage). Never physical pain but one that is often times much worse. I have always thought the phrase should be, "sticks and stones can break your bones but words can break the rest." Whether it is loud shouting or shear silence, the arguments and fights or lone nights. These always forgiving moments only make the pleasant times all the more valuable, memorable, lovable, _______ (insert adjective here).
Obviously the most pure example would be childbearing. I am so grateful to never have to go through the pain of childbirth, but I think every mother would tell you the pain is worth the reward. Every father would also agree the squeezed so hard it nearly broke hand, baby cried so long I couldn't sleep nights, and the nine "Yes, honey, I'll do anything you want" months are all but a blip on the radar compared to the monumental moments of fatherhood. I obviously have no idea, but if I am still writing this in several years, I'll be sure to let you know.
What I learned today is that the most precious of times are worth every bit of pain. All pain that I can live with. I cannot, however, live without the precious moments I have had and will continue to have because of it.
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