Nothing Was the Same
I just finished this week Kay Redfield Jamison's memoir, Nothing Was the Same. She is currently Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University.
Her book addressed her life with and without her now-deceased husband and the joyous times they had together, as well as their battle with his cancer, and her ensuing throes of grief and despair from the loss. Definitely an interesting read. She contrasts her grief with the moods of the depression she has experienced.
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I found some quotes from the book particularly interesting to share:
from "Mourning and Melancholia":
Hope can find a place in a mind missing love. It cannot find a place in a mind taken over by depression. In grief, one finds the absence of a life, not life itself. In depression, it is otherwise: one cannot access the beat of life.
from "Fugitive Dyes":
I had often said to my patients who were struggling in the wake of mania or suicidal despair: We are each an island. It is your task to bring to your own island what you need to live long and well: love, beauty, diversion, friends; work that sustains; a meaningful life. Look at Maui, I would say: everything was brought in by man, insect, bird, or wind. It is your life; it is short. Treat your island with regard. Do not let it go to weed; do not give it over to anyone else. Understand the possibilities. Know the dangers. Keep away the ungenerous and unkind.
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I have had two students who have lost family members this past week. I found myself listening to their stories, then quietly saying, "He's at peace now," or "She's at peace now" to them, as well as reminding them to tell their lab partners of their loss (they may be surprised to find that their lab partners are accepting, accomodating, and human about their situation).
Labels: accessibility, color, encyclopedia, farewell, flowers, friends, health, meditate, moving, read, sleep, work
Red Skies at Night...
I look west toward St. Paul Cathedral and the spires are framed by a soft, red, orange, and pale violet light off cumulus clouds. I know my camera tells me "battery exhausted," but I polish the contacts on the batteries before giving up to the beautiful changing sky.
What a lovely way to end a lovely day.
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Nancy and I visited Ornella at the gallery of her art class's show. We enjoyed Ornella's pieces and those of her class. Ornella's Western US landscape was painterly and colorful. I also enjoyed her piece entitled "Message in a Bottle," reminiscent of Paul Klee.
We spent quite a bit of time chatting about Europe (I'm planning a trip...) and we decided to dine together at the Belgian restaurant for dinner. Ornella and I shared the moules frites and the salmon dinner with risotto and steamed spinach. Nancy enjoyed tofu, mango, and the beer cheese soup.
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20:45
The sky is pale steel indigo-violet with certain clouds tinged/rimmed in red.
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Nancy and I made two grocery runs: One before dinner while waiting for our table, and one after dinner for dairy products.
Labels: art, dine, friends, light, moving, mystery, painting, photography, photos, rain, shopping, St. Paul Cathedral, travel, weather
Sunday in the Park with Beata, Solomon, and Will
Had brunch with William, his family, and his in-laws at the sushi buffet on McKnight Road: William, Marissa, Beata, Solomon, Les and Chere, Grampy Bill, Susan, and Will. We enjoyed a leisurely brunch.
After, we headed to the North Side water spray park. We had a lot of fun; the children even swayed on the swings. All was well until Beata headed to the "water activator" and slipped. Marissa and Solomon are with her now whilst she gets checked out. I dropped William off at home, as he has an event at Schenley Park. We noted a large truck disregarding the clearance of an underpass on the way home.
Labels: excited, family-Marissa, moving, Pittsburgh, traction, travel, walking, water, water exercise
Half (my stuff) Home
This afternoon I loaded my bags with my clean & other laundry, my books and magazines, my mail, my music CDs, my treatment folders, my paraphernalia for dressing, my toiletries and sundry other items into a cart and Dad helped me transport it to my home and to my sofa. I stayed behind to organize it for a while.
One of tonight's dishes will be cheeseburger macaroni, which I prepared.
We have yet to move my commode chair, shower chair, crutches and cane, and a few small items. That will wait until after dinner. I am "going to roost" as my neighbor indicated, at my home again.
Labels: dining, family, health, home, laundry, moving, music, neighbors, organizing, walking
Michael Jackson Memorial
Just finished watching the Michael Jackson memorial service in Los Angeles. I watched on CNN because the sound was actually better than that of MTV.
A notable speaker was the Reverend Al Sharpton. While he spoke, there was a backdrop of MJ and the quote
"There's nothing that can't be
done if we raise our voice as one."
Brooke Sheilds spoke as his friend, not as a colleague from the music business. She noted that his favorite song was a Charlie Chaplin one (from the movie Modern Times), "Smile," which his brother then sang.
Texan Congresswoman spoke, mentioning H.R. 600, honoring Michael Joseph Jackson. Martin Luther King III and Bernice King spoke, as well.
The London tour company sang "We are the World", and "Heal the World." His brothers Germaine and Marlon, as well as his daughter Paris, spoke.
Thus ended the memorial service for Michael Joseph Jackson.
Labels: American history, Bible, celebration, citizenship, Faith, farewell, international culture, light, moving, music, reunion, voice
Jeudi on Tuesday
Today is my day off---my jeudi---on Tuesdays. I read/ lectored at Mass today, during which Fr. Breier celebrated, Matt served, and Don was music ministry from the choir loft. Dad and Martha were television ministry. <44 people in the congregation received communion...It's usually 48-50.>I caught up on phone calls, moving items from my parents' home to my house, putting away laundry, and organizing and cleaning the kitchen and living room. I also fit a nap in.
I went to physical therapy, and gave my good news to my physical therapist, K. He was pleased to hear that I have a surgery date.
Maureen called me on the way home from physical therapy with news of Brian's Memorial Mass. We attended, during which Fr. Andrew F., Fr. Mike D., and Deacon Steve with Matt served. Maureen and I spoke to his parents and sister afterwards, and we saw Nancy and Tom M., Stacy, Chad, Judith, etc. I told his parents and sister that the fire of Christ was in his belly! We sang "The King of Love my Shepard Is" as the entrance hymn<, and #417, the last 2 verses, for the recessional hymn.>
Maureen and I walked to the burger shop for dinner/snack afterwards, and walked back afterwards.Labels: exercise, farewell, lector, Mass, moving, organizing, phone, singing, sleep, walking
A Transition....
NBC television station did a piece on a letter Jenna and Barbara Bush, the twins, wrote to Malia and Sasha Obama. The station asked them to read the letter for the public, which they did. The contents of the letter and their reading of it (with care) is quite telling. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Labels: American history, excited, international culture, moving, politics, TV
Physical Therapy, A Call from Kim S.
This morning I went for physical therapy. It went smoothly, was uneventful, and that is good.
After taco burgers for lunch with Mom and Dad, I took a nice, long nap. Soon after awakening, Kim S. called me and said she may be moving soon. Her girls are well, and Siola is going into bilingual kindergarten this fall. She will miss her family if she decides to move.
Last night, I called Jonathan to coach him on moving the last bits from the USA to the UK. He appreciated the help, and I also offered help to pack.
Labels: BAD, exercise, health, moving, phone, surgery, surprise, water exercise
