I said in an earlier post that my multiple myeloma cancer was a new project, a way to re-center my life around new priorities based on my inability to do much but get better over the 1 year course of treatment. My XYL, Karen seems to be on a similar course, now in the hospital for four weeks, with a 45 year old staff infection that has come back with a vengence. So the two of us are "resetting" at the same time. I can picture us, both in the living room, looking at each other, "what you want to do"? , "I don’t know, what do you want to do"? This much time together will also have its challenges and opportunities.
I have a full time gentleman from Sri Lanka that takes care of us, makes me rice and curry every day, keeps the house clean, and makes sure that I have what I need to recover. He is funny, very well educated as he was a manufacturing engineer in Sri Lanka who has also studied Japanese Kabuki theater. Lots to talk about at meal time including music, books and novels, and manufacturing processes. I suddenly know the value of my USA passport and the freedom of access to the world that it provides versus a Sri Lankin passport with its very limited access to the world.
My friends and neighbors cannot do enough, including bringing meals, shopping, running errands, providing legal services, and visiting frequently to keep me company, while Karen is hospitalized. They are supporting Karen, in the hospital, with the same dedication, anxious for us to be home together.
Karen and I are discovering that allowing our family, friends, and neighbors to help us through this period also empowers all of them to feel that they also make a difference, a serious difference through their contributions of time and energy. I discovered early in my life that helping others was a great way to stop thinking about myself and my troubles. While the war in Israel, rages on seven fronts, our need for their help and support seems to be an empowering distraction for all of them.
Those in my immediate circle know that I have a song for every subject and mood. This does not translate to amateur radio and the podcast well, so this sometimes annoying personality trait may be unknown to most of you. I sing all of the time. Today I feel grateful and the following song written by John Bucchino and performed by Brian Stokes Mitchel, Grateful, comes to mind.
73, Eric 4Z1UG
My friends and neighbors cannot do enough, including bringing meals, shopping, running errands, providing legal services, and visiting frequently to keep me company, while Karen is hospitalized. They are supporting Karen, in the hospital, with the same dedication, anxious for us to be home together.
Karen and I are discovering that allowing our family, friends, and neighbors to help us through this period also empowers all of them to feel that they also make a difference, a serious difference through their contributions of time and energy. I discovered early in my life that helping others was a great way to stop thinking about myself and my troubles. While the war in Israel, rages on seven fronts, our need for their help and support seems to be an empowering distraction for all of them.
Those in my immediate circle know that I have a song for every subject and mood. This does not translate to amateur radio and the podcast well, so this sometimes annoying personality trait may be unknown to most of you. I sing all of the time. Today I feel grateful and the following song written by John Bucchino and performed by Brian Stokes Mitchel, Grateful, comes to mind.
73, Eric 4Z1UG
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