Many years ago (like 1975-ish) Bob wrote a poem entitled: “My Old Friend, Pain”. He has been acquainted with orthopedic pain more than the average person, mostly from the childhood bike-riding accident where he was hit by a car, thrown 30 feet, and then run over by the same car! Because of the lasting effects, he’s had 2 hip replacements and 2 knee replacements, and, then, of his own doing broke 2 vertebrae and one ankle, which was severe enough to still cause pain 22 years later. The last hip replacement was just earlier this month, and he is now in the recovery stages. This poem was written by our daughter, Eve, and was inspired by his poem on pain:
Your old friend - pain Is back again To humble And to sharpen But if you turn your head just right You start to see reflected light The contrast, starkly defined Joy and health - the other side Without Old Pain They're undefined And lacking in their meaning You've had your share of suffering A companion through the years It's played a role Sometimes a starring part But you've kept an open heart You remain In Pain But empathetic to the plight And hopeful for the dawn You've emerged Battle - scarred, but wiser Tired, but kinder A man who understands You can't have day without the night You can't know peace without the fight Your old friend Pain is back again Your body heals Here you stand Intact A wounded, but unbroken man.
