Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Life has a strange habit of getting in the way

My dad hasn't been well lately, thus the long period of blog silence. It's tough to feel all lighthearted and writerly when you are shuffling around a hospital all day, prodding your very stubborn dad to do his therapy. (He's much better now, thank goodness, and out picking tomatoes in the garden.)

The post-op floor has a habit of stripping away all the non-essentials (Should I sign my daughter up for dance class? I'd really like to re-tile the deck.) Its inhabitants were forced to focus on what's important in life. Some families were joyous and others somber, but everyone there was facing mankind's greatest fear: death, and the avoidance thereof.

I can't stop thinking about the 33-year-old mother with 3 months to live and what her family must be going through.

Anyway. I didn't get much writing done, but perhaps the next project I tackle will be all the richer for it.

Jeez, that was a downer.

10 comments:

April Plummer said...

I'm glad to hear your father is doing much better, and I'm envious of those tomatoes!

As for the rest of it...I understand. I haven't faced death recently, not personally. But I read a true crime novel and was blown away by the fact that it was REAL. I don't know.

My heart breaks for the woman you mentioned and her family. That is truly awful.

moonrat said...

sorry, Wendy. glad your dad is doing better.

the nice thing about the blogging community is they don't need you to entertain them ALL the time. we value your serious reflections as much as your amusing ones :)

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

Sometimes we need to post the "downer" stuff. It's part of life, and no one's life is "up" all the time. I've sure learned that the hard way lately.

So glad your dad is doing better. Please tell him a friend of yours in PA sends hugs.

Ladybird World Mother said...

So tough, isn't it, when spending any length of time at a hospital, visiting or ill yourself... it really does put you on such a downer. Hope you are feeling more normal now you are home and your dad is getting better. Or are you still going in each day to visit?
And that poor poor mother. My heart goes out to her and her family. xx

WendyCinNYC said...

April--Thanks. And I know what you mean about finding something that rings true in a novel.

moonrat--That's good to hear. There were a few times when I opened up my computer and thought "What could I possibly write about? Nothing. Bleh."

Debra--Thanks, I'll tell him. Hope all's well with you, too.

WendyCinNYC said...

Ladybird--I'm feeling better and so is he (he's home now.) An afternoon on the beach does wonders.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Wendy, I'm so glad to hear he's doing better. Life has a way of smacking us upside the head and reminding us of what's important. We'll still be here when you get back to your routine. :)

Allie said...

I am so sorry to hear that you're going through this! You're in my thoughts, Wendy!

colbymarshall said...

one thing I'm working on: not being so hard on myself. Letting myself be ok with it if life sometimes gets in the way. Hope things are going better with your dad. *hugs*

Purple Cow said...

Glad your dad is out there picking tomatoes again. bet they will taste much juicier than before!