Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Today

I stopped in a park to chart today. Snug in my car- eyes focused on the computer screen and ears attuned to the soaring voice of Susan Boyle (wow) I barely noticed my white, frozen surroundings.

Banshee screams pierced the air, and my eyes flew automatically to the lake in front of me- instantly fearful that a child had fallen through the ice. Nothing- and my eyes returned to the screen.
Screams again pierced the air and this time I swiveled my head to see 6 wild indians, dressed in various hues of purple and blue careening wildly down the hill to my left. This time, I let my attention wander from the screen in front of me to watch. What a great time they were having. Up they went and down again. Sleds escaped them and they laughed and ran following. Soon they were finding ways to enliven the experience, riding on their knees, their bellies, making ramps and flying though the air. When one fell, another ran calling "are you OK?????"

Now diverted, I paused to notice the scene around me. Pine trees- lined, like soldiers at attention across the frozen lake. Bare branches silhouetted against a blue/grey sky. I finally noticed the cold seeping abound my feet and the sparkling of the ice on the parking lot.

It was hard to leave that place, to pull out and proceed on with my day. Warmly sheltered in the home of one of my favorite patients a few minutes later, I couldn't resist telling him about the children at play. It was like opening a treasure chest, and I listened as memories poured forth of his own childhood in the hills of Pennsylvania.

It was hard to pull myself away from there also.... some days I just love doing what I do.




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5 comments:

  1. Apparently you did not stop to see your favorite horse! So close, yet so far away...

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  2. Thank you for this story. It's amazing what we see when we take the time to look around, isn't it. ...though cozied up with the voice of Susan Boyle is not a bad thing either!

    The job you do is amazing. I don't know how we would have gotten through my dad's death without the hospice staff. Bless you.

    And Happy New Year! I"m glad I found your blog.

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  3. What a great thing to notice. I guess we just need to slow down a bit and enjoy that which is around us.

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  4. Becki: tell my favorite horse I'll be out this weekend with a big abpple :)

    Kate: My sympathies for the loss of your father. What a difficult loss. I was enthralled by your blog... can't wait to stop back

    JW: I'm so glad to "see you" I was so grateful for those little sled riders who brightened my day and made me look around

    Happy NY to all...

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  5. That is such a lovely story. Thanks for sharing!

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