“Well, it is better than a poke in the eye!”

Mark was quoting his father as he joked with a friend about something that could have been worse. I don’t know the context of their joking. This was a few weeks ago and since then it seems that he has taken many opportunities to share the same expression.

Speaking of pokes in the eye – he recently experimented with acupuncture as a form of pain management. The photo above is one that I snapped to send to the kids as we headed out to his first appointment. It is part of the map in Hope Lodge representing the hometown of those who have been blessed to stay under their roof and includes several foreign countries. It seemed to represent what Mark was about to experience…

There were no pokes in the eye, but it did include pokes in his ear as well as his hand, back and leg. When he left he was walking with an almost-normal gait. We were so excited that he was having some relief! He returned later that week with similar results.

Conflicting appointments meant that we had to cancel his third visit. No acupuncture for two weeks – I have asked several times but he doesn’t want to make an appointment. Last night he said, “I really don’t like it anymore.” This set me into fits of giggles – it isn’t so funny, but he has a way of making me laugh that no one else can do. I find him adorable. Having a good laugh is great therapy!!

Nothing earth-shattering to report. I was just intrigued by the effects of the acupuncture. I’ve always thought it would be an option worth exploring but haven’t had the opportunity before now. I heard friends report it as being both effective and non-effective for a variety of uses.

Acupuncture. Who knew? Give it a try – it is better than a poke in the eye…