02 September 2016

What was intended as a 12 hrs max exercise/adventure has now expanded into three days and two nights of interrupted sleep and questionable food. However, the coffee is fabulous.
At this stage - helped by the prospect of going home as soon as the infusion has been fed drip by slow drip into my vein - I am so grateful for the kindness and skill and indeed thorough treatment plus detailed explanations of every step that I could start crying when the next smiling face walks into the room to monitor my process.
This morning I assured the ward nurse that I can find my own way to another  dept. where yet more tests had been scheduled and for the first time I walked across "my" campus as a patient using the shortcuts through a small green area only staff know. The early morning air was like a special welcome and as I stood there with my eyes closed facing the September sun and letting the breeze gently lift and carry away all lingering traces of the night, the smell of disinfectants and illness and fear that had  gathered inside and around me, this poem by Wendell Berry came to mind. 


There are new challenges, new results as I move into autumn and winter and I am not sure how I will be able to accommodate it all. But nobody knows and this is a comfort. 

12 comments:

Fire Bird said...

I am so glad about the kindness

am said...

Thank goodness for kindness, green areas, early morning air in September, poets, and going home soon.

molly said...

Beautiful poem. Smiling faces and kindness in general make all the difference. I believe we are here to help each other along in life. Glad your nurses got that memo....

Colette said...

There is nothing better than a kindly nurse when you are feeling sick and vulnerable. I am happy to hear you have some of those on hand.

Colette said...

And that poem! Love it.

Ms. Moon said...

Loving you from afar, dear Sabine. I really am.

Anonymous said...

One of my most favorite poems. What a wonderful thing to remember as you stood outside in the September air. Thinking of you, Sabine.

Zhoen said...

Coffee, good nurses and shortcuts, the small blessings. May your food improve.

Elizabeth said...

Oh, yes. The peace of wild things. I am thinking about you and wishing you continued courage and strength.

Steve Reed said...

At least there's good coffee, for what it's worth -- and poetry and green spaces. I admire your ability to enjoy the beauty around you in such an uncertain time.

Nick said...

Thank you for the poem, I didn't know of it until now. I hope it is bringing you some comfort too. Regards, Nick

nan said...

Beautiful video - one of my favorite poems.