These days I live close to the bone.
This is no mere phrase.
The face that looks at me from the mirror
Is ever older and gives a glance of skull;
The body that moves or not
Is ever thinner and juts with skeletal outline.
I could say this be not my choice,
Citing illness and age.
But we all face this end,
Whatever the appearance.
No amount of flesh or care or luck will spare us.
So I cherish my circumstance as valuable,
A visible reminder not to waste my time.
As those of you who are friends with me IRL or on social media know, I have been very ill recently. First I caught a nasty strain of the flu (diagnosed at the Urgent Care Center) which later developed into atypical pneumonia, acute bronchitis, PLUS the original flu virus. The ER doc also mumbled something about some possible other unspecified viruses, like these weren’t enough, and sent me home with more meds than I could shake a stick at, strict instructions to REST, REST, REST, drink plenty of fluids, and to follow up with my internist. I’m not venturing out anywhere, since I’d have to don a plague mask, carry a bell, and spread the deadly virus wherever I went, thereby being a real buzzkill at any gathering.
I posted about being so ill on my social media. AAAAANNNDD got the expected “thought and prayers” responses from most BUT from a few people got responses that made a BIG difference in the last week. THEY said things like: DO YOU NEED ME TO DO LAUNDRY? DO YOU NEED ME TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE? DO YOU NEED ME TO PICK UP MEDS? DO YOU NEED A RIDE TO THE DOCTOR? DO YOU NEED ME TO COOK YOU SOUP? Are you seeing a pattern here?
Now, don’t get me wrong. “Thoughts and prayers” are appreciated. Some of those posting might have actually prayed….a couple were professionals at that, lol, and who knows? I might even be on a church prayer list somewhere! But the point I’m trying to make here is that if you know someone who is truly ill, and you truly wish to do something for them, offer more than “thoughts and prayers”. Even if it is something so simple as a post containing the latest research that shows that Sambucol is effective as Tamiflu against the flu. That has some content. Or perhaps a humorous post about the flu. These will suffice, should you not be in a position to make a concrete offer of aid, like doing laundry (if the person has no washer and dryer, for instance) or going to the grocery, or making a meal, or whatever. But just saying “thoughts and prayers,” while it SOUNDS nice on FB, is essentially vacuous and meaningless. I’m sorry if this sounds harsh and ungrateful. But in this day and age, after the beating that words have taken from DJT and company, I want to let people know that words matter and actions speak loudly. Covfefe, indeed.
I completely missed the DNC. I hate that, b/c it was so very different from the RNC in tone, not to mention that history was made, with the first ever nomination of a woman for candidate President of a major party! The Democratic party has such amazing women to offer for role models: Elizabeth Warren, Michele Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and, of course, Hillary Rodham Clinton. If I were female or had daughters, I would definitely be a Democrat! (I AM a Democrat, should it not be obvious by now.) I have watched some of the memorable speeches by the Obamas, Khirza Khan, and Hillary Clinton. Such a contrast with the doom and gloom reality show that was the RNC.
Now, on to the theme of this entry. I’ve been struggling with some health issues that sap my energy. On good days I can read the news and follow what going on. think critically, and write. On bad days I can barely sit up. Unfortunately last week was a bad week. And sickness, I’ve found, is a demanding selfish bitch. I was doing well to take out the whippet. Books went unread. Dust gathered in corners. Laundry piled in the hamper. You get the picture.
I’ve appointments with specialists. Cardio and gastro are being investigated. I expect cardio to be given a fairly clean bill of health, while something is definitely amiss with gastro. Depending on the results from all the tests I’m undergoing, a move might be the offing. While I love my little town, if I can’t work, then I’ll say goodbye, thanks for all the fish (grin), and go early to live with my friend.