As the young folks say, “It’s been a minute.”
This means that it’s been an extended period of time. And I haven’t written anything since July!
It wasn’t malaise. Although this country (world) has truly been on some kind of a roller coaster! Politics aside for the moment.
I hesitate to blame it on writer’s block.
Some type of low grade depression?
Maybe. My friend Karla figures most of us are experiencing a touch of that in the past year.
Anyway, whatever it was, today is the day.
This past Wednesday I was very busy. Three things that day had me thinking profoundly.
They are three very different stories and deserve their own space. So, another time!
But I was thinking about the fragility of life. One day someone is here and then they are not.
A childhood friend and I were messaging the next day. We had a mutual friend who had died suddenly Tuesday/Wednesday at the young age of fifty. Someone I worked with many years ago and one of her high school friends.
We chatted about life, families, acceptance, etc.
S. works at a nursing home and told me about a recent interaction.
One day, she sees a resident just wheeling around in his chair. Eyes closed.
Asks him, “J., buddy, what’s up with your eyes closed??”
He replied, “I’m exhausted but I am not sure how many days I have left on earth so I can’t spend them in bed.”
Bang. There it is.
She told me that he has arthritis and is in pain 100% of the time.
Also told me he smiles 100% of the time.
None of us know how many days we have left on earth.
If we wake up in the morning we are blessed with a choice.
How do we want to spend this day? This gift?
Just Being Mary 