“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” How did Helen Keller know how I feel about my beloveds, especially during tough times? During my recovery, I received nearly 60 get-well cards . . . and about 15 of them were from my closest friend in high school. These cards are featured at the top of this post, fanned out much like they were on the coffee table next to my recliner/reading chair in my living room. At least three times a week, I picked up and read each one because they helped me to believe in myself and my recovery.
My sister, Dawna sent 54 cards — all part of a deck called, “You’re Badass from Head to Toe.” Each card revealed much needed affirmations.
In addition to cards, Adrienne’s neighbors — Jackie and Barbara — provided several meals. My beloved Kelly, arranged food through GrubHub . . . enough food for three meals for Adrienne and me. Greg, a sweet neighbor, provided a steady supply of gummy bears. My sister, Lauren, called at least twice a week. I really could go on and on about the generosity of friends and neighbors who believe in me.
And then there’s Adrienne, my omnipresent partner whose patience and humor know no bounds. Whenever I could not make it to the bathroom or up and down the stairs, she stood behind and guided me. Whenever I bemoaned my disability she cheered me on. She ran errands, schlepped me to follow-up medical appointments and physical therapy and even vacuumed my house and mowed my lawn. Most of all, she made me — makes me — laugh. Anne Lamott has called laughter, “carbonated holiness.” What a blessing Adrienne was and is!
NEXT: SURGICAL LESSONS — PLAY!
I’m so happy you had such lovely support! The cards are fabulous and you definitely are a magical goddess! ❤️ you and ❤️ Adrienne!
Neola — you support me from the West Coast by being the first to read these posts — even before me! — after they are published. I am instantly cheered to see you have visited while I am still asleep. You’re my internet guardian angel.❤️🙏
PROGRAMMING NOTE: My next surgical lesson, “PLAY” will be published next Tuesday, May 27, followed by “WORK” on May 28 and “RESOLVE” on May 29.
Tomorrow I will publish an edition of “Ignite.” One of the things I did during my recovery was go through old New Yorkers for cartoons worthy of my proprietary cartoon file organized alphabetically according to subject. Hey, there are worse obsessions!
Most of the cards also included thoughtful hand-written encouragement on the inside. Here’s just one example:
The outside of one of the cards I received from Beth was imprinted with, “A Little Paper Hug for You.” Imprinted on the inside was, “Near or far, I’m here for you.” She hand-wrote the following message on March 12 — the day BEFORE my surgery:
“Dearest Sharon — Maybe that says it all. I know you will start physical therapy immediately and it will be brutal and sure to seem endless. I also know that you are dedicated to healing and that you will do all that you need to in order to get your life back. I look forward to walking with you again someday. With much love. ALWAYS. Beth”
Trust me — words like these were fuel for my journey toward recovery.
Sorry–read yesterday and got distracted. So grateful that you are now reflecting. I love that you know how much you are loved and appreciated and celebrated. Glad the cards to you helped you recognize that and I too lift up Adrienne with appreciation and a BRAVO. Mostly I give thanks for your healing and two good knees!!
No apologies necessary, Charlotte. I hope you noticed that the message on one of your cards: “It’s just a bad day. Not a bad life.” is featured a couple of times in this post. Love that message. Love you.
What a treasure–all these cards and phone calls and neighborly help, and then Adrienne’s presence all through the dark days! Seems to me it says something about what a treasure you are and continue to be to so many of us.
Ah, shucks, Carol. Thank you.
I hope you noticed that the extra large card you sent to me was featured in yesterday’s post. A couple of other things you sent my way will be featured in a post next week.
LOOK OUT!!!!
Sharon,
As a fairly long time friend & neighbor, I am so glad that you have a tremendous posse of friends, family & neighbors who help take good care of you in all ways, especially when you really need it. Your cards are one form of proof. Adrienne is a gift; I commend her for her greatness & you for being so lucky. Each time you have needed inspiration to believe in yourself, your posse has come through for you, without fail! Now, do you believe in yourself? You CAN do it & you do!!
Laura — I love the term, “posse”. The second definition of the word is, “a group of people who have a common characteristic, occupation or purpose.” [The first definition is, ” a body of men, typically armed, summoned by a sheriff to enforce the law.” Fortunately, I haven’t needed this kind of posse. Yet.] Yes, I have a very loyal posse, Laura, and you’ve been in this generous group for decades.
The day I came home from surgery and was slowly inching my way into my home with my walker, I spied, out of the corner of my eye, a large nylon blue flower wind spinner at one corner of my bare front garden. I knew immediately that you had placed it there. Not sure why I knew it was you. I guess it’s just the sort of thing that you would do. A couple of days later when I was able to look out my window, the blue flower wind spinner was gone. All that was left was the stake. By the way, my horticulturist, Janet, is using that stake in my front garden to support some of the plants. That garden (as well as my back gardens) are jam-packed now! Anyhoo, no doubt the blue flower wind spinner had blown away in the heavy winds we had at that time in March. I keep looking for it, by the way! Even out in farmland! xoxo
The Anne Lamott quote about carbonated holiness is one of my absolute favorites. I’m so glad Adrienne is that for you. 💕
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏 So happy and grateful to have your presence here!
LOVE the photo of Adrienne at the Women’s March in 2017. That was an event of a lifetime and I’m glad to have been there with you and Adrienne. Wish we could re-cultivate that kind of energy again now!
So with you, Beth!❤️💪🙏