Just Down the Road

 While I was driving to town something bulky and dark appeared in the distance  -- wow, it might be a back bear! Reliable sightings included neighbors whose birdfeeder was repeatedly raided by a persistent bear and others who described unexpected glimpses of bears within a mile of our home.  

 Continuing on, driving faster than normal, the object of my attention  remained in the road. How lucky, I thought, that I would be able to see it close up.  Finally, my quarry came into focus -- a garbage can moving around in the wind! Expectation yes, disappointment no; I had a good laugh and hope someday a garbage can will turn out to be a bear, cougar (definitely around), or wolf (it's a possibility).

 The other day I marveled at a gracefully soaring red-tailed hawk. Apparently bored with my enthusiasm, one grandchild exclaimed, "It's just a hawk!" Her sister said it looked beautiful. Just a hawk! Beautiful!  How differently humans perceive objects, events, or experiences; how uniquely we react, expressing or depressing thoughts, emotions and actions.  

 Many people don't make the effort to regularly reflect on what is or has been good in their lives; all too often our minds wander to the negative aspects as we go about our daily routines. Our family was thrust into turmoil because of Junior's five brain surgeries and my struggles with lymphoma and pneumonia. 

 During those trying times it was difficult to focus on the positives, but there were many.

 Junior's rare medical problem was diagnosed in time for us to obtain the services of world-renowned endovascular surgeons and neurosurgeons. In 2001, a bizarre recollection from a Reader's Digest article read in 1993 led to these professionals who saved Junior's life. My fourth-stage cancer was successfully treated at what is now the largest, most modern, state-of-the-art hospital in the world. I was extremely fortunate to be accepted for treatment.

 We are grateful for hospitals, the expertise and compassion of wonderful 
health professionals, medical research and modern technology. We are grateful for those who unselfishly donated blood for my benefit. We are grateful for the prayers, cards, gifts, telephone calls, words of concern, and other acts of kindness. The cheerful cards my granddaughter's second grade classmates created are priceless. During a critical point in my illness, a nurse tearfully prayed for me. Christmas Eve, tears streamed down my face as members of the extraordinary Gay Men's Choir of Washington, D.C. sang carols outside my hospital room. The list 
goes on and on.

 Must it take a near-death experiences for people to realize how much there is to be thankful for, to appreciate those closest to us and strive to improve relationships? Before my crisis, I took many things for granted and rarely ‘stopped to smell the roses.'  I was busy, busy, busy, accomplishing a lot but feeling unfulfilled. Then came an abrupt turnaround. Home from the hospital, debilitated, long hours were spent curled up with my beloved cat, napping and reading, pleasures denied when I was virtually overwhelmed with 
responsibilities. Looking out the bedroom window at the natural world, rocking in the chair that comforted my five precious babies, gave me great pleasure. Reflecting on my life, I vowed to improve my character and strengthen bonds with my husband, children, and grandchildren.

 Sunrises, sunsets; stars, planets, sun, and moon; the ever-changing weather with its glories and frights; the four seasons and transition times; the plant and animal world; geological features; so much to ignore, take for granted, dislike, admire or enjoy. Intense is the joy of life for most of us who have temporarily cheated the Grim Reaper.