Shoulder surgery has me feeling lucky, blessed

Sometimes it takes challenges or temporary setbacks to make us appreciate even the everyday things that we take for granted and then we realize how lucky we really are. I’m now speaking as a voice of personal experience.
   After separating a shoulder a few weeks ago tripping and falling, I become a one-armed man with all the inconveniences that go with it. Recovery is expected to take approximately at least another month. Still, I feel lucky. 
   * I’m lucky because the injury immobilized my right arm instead of my left and I am left handed.
   * I’m lucky we have a great hospital in our community with fine medical staff and administration. 
   * I’m lucky because my Betterhalf has become my nurse, maid, chef, driver, etc. without complaints and most importantly a voice of encouragement to me.
   * I am lucky because the get well cards, phone calls, goodies, flowers, Facebook and other text messages indicate I have way more friends than I ever imagined.
   * I’m lucky I live in a great community and state full of citizens who have reaffirmed in my mind as “a place that can’t be beat.”
   * I’m lucky we have two dogs in our household who are great companions (and housebroke). 
   * Plus, I have approximately eight more dogs down at the Adopt-A-Pet animal shelter who indicate they miss me. Even former shelter dog Yoda sent a card from Green Bay, Wisc., telling me to “Rest easy and let others fetch things for you!”
   * I’m lucky I have found out you can be “slowed down” by staying at home even when faced with cold weather and the pandemic scare. Adding an injured shoulder to the list didn’t shut me completely down!
    * I’m lucky because my Aurora News-Register provides a weekly update in happenings in our community . . . and a daily newspaper provides me The Jumble and crossword puzzle each day.
   I know at times we all become a little depressed. I’m lucky those gloomy times will end and I will get back to a near-normal. The key word is “effort” and recently my horoscope promised you must keep trying  and rewards will manifest.
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Here’s a little reminder: We must believe in luck. How else can we explain the success of those we don’t like? 
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RL Furse  is publisher emeritus of the News-Register