Dear Readers,
As you may know, one week ago I fell and fractured my left jaw. I was on my way to get a haircut. I’ve been at a loss for words. Last night I wrote this before going to bed. It’s my answer to the question everyone asks me–and that I ask myself. Read the rest of this entry »
Dear Friends,
This is NOT a goodbye post, despite the lovely blessing above. Do you know what a condyle fracture of the jaw is? Neither did I until last Thursday when I was on my way to get a haircut. It wasn’t my heart, dizziness or anything like that. Read the rest of this entry »
For several weeks I’ve wondered about this poem by Emily Dickinson. What’s it all about? Do I get it yet? I’m not sure. I do, however, think it gets me right now.
I stepped from Plank to Plank
A slow and cautious way
The Stars about my Head I felt
About my Feet the Sea.I knew not but the next
Would be my final inch –
This gave me that precarious Gait
Some call Experience.c. 1864
Emily Dickinson Poems, Edited by Brenda Hillman
Shambhala Pocket Classics, Shambhala 1995
As usual, there’s precious little Read the rest of this entry »
This sonnet by George MacDonald took me back to childhood struggles with public prayer. Especially public prayer in front of my father when we had daily Bible reading and prayer after breakfast. My child’s prayer follows MacDonald’s adult prayer. Read the rest of this entry »
Thou preparest a table before me…. Psalm 23:5, Quilted artwork by Lee Porter
#7
Visions
Glow in bright light
Dancing into my heart’s eye
It’s time to take me into the operating room. I smile at D and get his gorgeous smile back. Ready.
A tall burly man Read the rest of this entry »
My greatest anxiety the morning of my procedure wasn’t whether I’d make it through the procedure. It was whether I’d make it to the operating room….
#6
Fasting
plus no liquids
equals no picnic today!
I’m still in the prep room. I’ve survived a failed attempt Read the rest of this entry »
Waves of grief on a gorgeous spring day. Unannounced, unexpected, healing and welcome.
#5
Grief
Washes my face
With tears of sorrow
It started about 9am this morning. My heart Read the rest of this entry »
Learning about bradycardia answered questions I’ve had about people dying in their sleep. Especially, but not only older people. The image of dying in my sleep got into my imagination….
#4
My heart was old
Before its time—
It almost died in its sleep
For over 15 years my heart gasped for air, Read the rest of this entry »
Van Cliburn performing in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory during the First Tchaikovsky International Competition in 1958
I’m out with D, my temporary chauffeur, for a quick trip to *Raider Joe’s, aka Trader Joe’s. On our way home, heavenly music begins pouring out of the car radio. When I get into the house I turn on the radio to listen to the entire piece….
#3
Music from heaven
Washes over my soul and body
Soothing beauty from angelic fingers
It’s Van Cliburn playing Tchaikowsky’s Piano Concerto #1. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s Wednesday morning, about 7:15am. I’ve just walked into the prep room where I’m shown to my bed. I see several other beds in this busy room, each with so-called privacy curtains.
#2
Curtains close around Act One
I’m alone with my heart and one large plastic bag
The beginning of Act Two
Telling the Truth 