|
| |
|
|
| |
The Waking
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I cannot go.
We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go.
Light takes the Tree, but who can tell us how?
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me; so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.
This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.
--Theodore Roethke
|
|
|
|
Joy's Updates - Straight from the Horse's Mouth.
|
|
| |
Tuesday, December 31, 2002
Reflections on 2002 ~ Year of the Neck
During this year I ....
- was thrilled to hear Brian and Melissa are having a baby boy they plan to name Brendan
- celebrated a year of being in touch with Kathy - and three grandchildren and a son-in-law!
- didn't get to spend as much time with Kathy as we wanted but we stayed in touch and feel close
- got to teach English 102 spring and summer semesters at Watkins College of Art and Design and Film School and met some great students
- taught creative writing and hope they enjoyed it as much as I did
- got a new computer
- found out I'd have to have chemo for lymphoma
- had fever for over a month and felt horrible
- didn't realize I could feel worse but did
- almost died but wasn't quite dead
- spent a week in Vanderbilt Hospital
- had a nurse named Angel who really was one
- learned how to do a wet-to-dry bandage which scared Janelle and me, but we found out we could do it - we're proud of that, too!
- got a renewed appreciation for Janelle who is already amazing
- created this blog
- heard from people I thought I'd lost touch with and many who have been in contact
- appreciated all the cards, flowers, and gifts from people - really made me feel special and cared about - Thank you!!
- felt the support, love, concern, and encouragment from so many friends - how wonderful is that!
- had a get-together with classmates and had so much fun
- watched too much TV but enjoy having the time to do it
- will still be on sick leave for the rest of the school year
- can't remember the last time I had a date or an unreasonable facsimile of one - 2000 might have marked a change in my social life with men as I used to know it
- have become a cliche - an old woman who lives alone with cats - might have something to do with the previous observation
- decorated for Christmas
- never got around to sending Christmas cards
- voted (oh well)
- made a list of celebrities around my age who are dead - some are George Harrison, Dudley Moore, Bruce Paltrow, Julia Phillips, Robert Urich, John Thaw (Inspector Morse), Jim Morrison, John Denver, Janis Joplin, Jim Croce, David Geffen, and Arthur Ashe
- made another list in case that was too morbid of some born the same year I was who are also still around - they are Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, Joe Pesci, Sharon Gless, Christopher Walken, Keith Richards, Bill Bradley, Toni Tennille, Robert De Niro, Valerie Perrine, and Sam Shepard
- spent more time with Mother and had fun having lunch lots of places - she was a lifesaver in so many ways!
It's been a hard year in many ways but has definitely had its rewards. I've seen the new year in many ways with significant others, friends, family, alone and have done it dancing and partying, intimately, spiritually, and reflectively. This year I decided to treat it like Tuesday but without watching my usual TV shows (all reruns) and watched The History of Sex on The History Channel. Interesting, educational, and not something I've done before. Then I watched Tim Russert interview Yogi Berra ("I didn't really say everything I said."), Whitey Ford, and Phil Rizutto. Great fun! No movies, no countdowns, no year in review, no party. I've enjoyed the evening listening to the rain, writing this, and feeling good.
Thank you for everything you've done and for being here! Happy New Year!!
10:03:00 PM
|
|
| |
|
|
|
