I thank you for your patience. My aim is to write something new for The Unlearning Blog weekly.
But, this week. was. a. lot.
My 84 year-old dad, who has COPD, was in the hospital twice in the last five days. He and my stepmom live eighty minutes away.
After a few hours in the ER, test results came back that he has COVID, pneumonia, and a kidney issue.
It was hard to see him somewhat confused, in discomfort and very ill.
We were all concerned.
Then someone sent me this tonight:
how precious is life that it can be so full of exuberance one day and so full of clinging to our own breath the next. from fierce to fragile. from glory to grim. we cannot predict what this earth has in store for us. and we cannot measure the infinite possibilities of why things must sometimes go the way they do. but let us at the very least, recognize this truth. that we are not immortal. not one of us. we are not immune to pain. and change. and loss. and the storms that wreak havoc on our most sacred places. even when all is well and good and overflowing. we are always at the mercy of one single blunder. one mishap. one wrong turn. this, my souls, is why we must never take any of it all for granted. the beauty and the tragedy. hold each other close.
~ 'close' by Ullie Kaye Poetry
Earlier today, my sister, who is awesome in her care and presence, was at the hospital and discovered Dad was so much better than yesterday. Already.
I didn’t know what to expect. He has so many things wrong that are not good to have wrong at the same time. Yet, even his aging body is mending.
That’s such good news.
One focus keeps presenting itself in my life lately asking me, “What is really important?”
That is a common question we humans are often asked to ponder, and yet, it is so significant.
*For this post, I am opening up comments (typically reserved for paid subscribers) to everyone. I would love to hear your answers.
Holding you and your family close. Sounds like your father is receiving excellent care.
When someone asked Jesus that question, he answered, "Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself." None of us will be lying on our death beds, wishing we had spent more time at work. We live on this beautiful amazing planet, and we only get to be here for a short amount of time, so enjoy life. Our decisions and actions are important, to us and to our neighbors. Diet and exercise are important.
That's a bummer about your dad, I hope his recovery continues. Being sick is lousy.