I’m sure there are many of us who while experiencing a life threatening ordeal question our feelings about death. The Lady of Shalott by Henry Peach Robinson (1830-1901) (labeled for reuse) I remember my fear of dying during my first few months after my brain bleeds. Each seizure scared me—would this one kill me? Every … Read more
A lush Wandering Jew plant dominated my kitchen window sill. A dusting of silver on the leaves lent a light sheen to the stripes of deep magenta and pale teal. The plant kept sending magenta tendrils up and down the window and cabinets. I was constantly working to discourage it from spilling into the sink … Read more
Eight long months after the brain surgeries, when the new dragon boat season started, I got back in the boat. Due to the brain bleeds and subsequent surgeries, I missed an entire season of dragon boating. After the surgeries, eager to to rejoin my team , the Steel City Dragons, I worked out regularly, in … Read more
“Stop children, what’s that sound?” the words of of the group “Buffalo Springfield” often come to mind as I pause to take in my surrounding. But then I recall the rest of the song. Perhaps Pete Seeger’s “Seventy miles of wind and spray, seventy miles of water, seventy miles of ocean bay…”. But that doesn’t … Read more
I really wanted to be a responsible team member and help out but I knew my limitations. I shook my head. “Sorry, that wouldn’t be a good idea. I’m not the person for the job.” The whole boat turned towards me. Lynne, our coach, challenged me with a sharp, “Why not?” I wondered how to … Read more
“It’s not fair to your teammates if you don’t put your all into it.” I could feel the heat spread across my cheeks. I was both humiliated and furious by the coach’s words. How dare he accuse me of holding back, of not giving it my all, of being lazy? I poured more into my … Read more