stumbled upon this rosette of lambs ear at the lodge — the softness of every leaf petal fosters calmness in the touch. very glad i didn’t trample on nature’s security blanket!
Procedure in progress. Such a succinct specific technical phrase with such wide abstract poetic applications. It is, if you will, a clearly ambiguous statement. What procedure? What kind of progress? I am hung up on its prophecy on both a personal and political note. You see, I spent most of November 4th, 2020 staring at this phrase on a screen while waiting for the surgeon and his team to complete their repair work on my husband’s spine. (I know, right? YIKES YIKES YIKES) Simultaneously, like most everyone else in America, I sat waiting for election results to come in state by state by state. Keeping one’s inhaler near by is imperative when living in the time space continuum of the world of in-between. Keeping one’s faith close and one’s fears at bay is equally important. And as you already know dear reader — that struggle is real. On this particular day, it was my state of mind that needed protecting the most. Yet, somewhere in the time frame between when the projected one hour procedure turned into five — and too many key battle ground states remained too close to call — I completely short circuited.
Imploded would be more precise. With a racing heart and a dropping blood sugar level, I slipped further into a time warp, landing right back in a hospital room by my mother’s bedside, the day after the election exactly four years ago. I remember mentally profiling every person who came into the room, wondering which candidate they had voted for and why. I also recall that this scrutiny (aka judgement) was not even on my radar the previous day. Instead my eagle eyes and intuitive super powers were scouting out the manner in which this parade of hospital staffers treated my mother. Did they really see her? listen to her? take their time with her? try to make her feel better? Were they good at their job? Yes — to all those inquiries. Their professionalism didn’t change from one day to the next. I certainly couldn’t afford to demonize anyone for their political preferences when what I needed was for all of them to continue doing their best in their care and keeping of my mom. Me sitting in a corner with a prickly stare wasn’t going to be helpful towards that goal. Instead, my mental energies were better spent creating a welcoming space for all of us to become enthusiastic members of Team Bette. (The fact that my mom’s room became THE place for everyone to stop by is a whole other story related to her charm, charisma, and continuous supply of chocolate;)
ZAP - The surgeon walks towards me bringing good news that the operation went well. R did fine and he’s going to be ok. I’m startled back to the present bringing that lesson of humility towards humanity with me. Especially as I am once again in an environment where I need everyone on board to look out for my husband’s well being while he spends another hour and a half in recovery without me. Tempting though it may be in theory, the stark reality before me was/is that there’s no room and no point for politically profiling any body. These are all good people taking good care of all their patients. Though I only met a few of R’s many caregivers that day, I know in my heart that this is true.
Which brings me to my point as it relates to you dear reader. You see, I believe that the craze of DIY projects like fixing up old houses presents opportunity for people with shared interests (beyond politics and religion) to come together, demonstrating that we are better and more connected than current social climate forecasts suggest. Looking into the inner circle of the professionals who’ve signed on to our team, this project is already a beacon to all that. And it holds true for the readers with whom I’m already acquainted who are all on board for this adventure. I’m assuming — and hoping — that this range of perspectives is also represented in the new acquaintances we are making. My mental energies are completely focused on making this a welcoming space for all of us to become enthusiastic members of team djnral2.0. ( just sorry there’s no chocolate to share in this virtual realm)
The transformation of this forlorn homestead into Dovetail Lodge is truly a “procedure in progress.” Even with R on the mend, it is likely to remain so for what continues to be an extended period of time. It just means we shall get to have more fun together as our community continues expanding. THANK YOU ALL for your words of encouragement and expressions of interest. Whether old friends or new, your support is greatly appreciated.
PS
R is doing much better by the way. His herniated lumbar disc was one for the books as it fell into that rare 3% category of more difficult procedures. Very grateful that the surgeon and his team took all the time they needed to be certain to do it right. Totally worth the wait. Also good practice for developing more patience and remaining positive. Healing and mending take time. Sometimes it’s hard for him — me — all of us — to remember that. Let’s all tread gently, shall we?