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
This morning small verses began popping into my mind. In fact, they haven’t stopped coming. So here’s #1 with brief comments about my hospital visit six days ago to get a pacemaker.
#1
Stripped to my
Lowest common denominators
I lie naked
My worst nightmare, especially at this age: Read the rest of this entry »
Tuning the heart of the Longwood Organ. Note grand piano ‘pipe’ in the back!
Counting down–
Tired body and mind
on alert
Waiting—for
what I do not know
to happen Read the rest of this entry »
Perfectionism is cowardly, not brave.
Dad on the right with his older brother, farming in the Midwest, 1920s or 30s.
they journeyed
by rugged road signs
each with its distinct
look and character
weather-beaten
numbered and lettered
pointing the way
luring them on
from here to there
over miles of unexplored
wilderness and wasteland Read the rest of this entry »
Telling the Truth 