Today I was out walking my dog. I actually walk him in a beautiful cemetery near my home. It is a beautiful place full of flowers, ponds, nature, history, and memories. Martin and I walk here every day, and we frequently discover new and beautiful areas.
While walking, my mind wandered. I have to spend time working this weekend, and these beautiful New England weekends are certainly rare during the summer. But work has to get done, so I will do it. I know that next weekend will also be beautiful. I was planning a long walk for later this evening to enjoy the day.
After a bit, I opened up my email, and was literally stopped in my tracks. Hospice, no longer eligible for clinical trial, and palliative care. Knowing that this email is regarding a 14 year old child. . . . . . .
While walking, my mind wandered. I have to spend time working this weekend, and these beautiful New England weekends are certainly rare during the summer. But work has to get done, so I will do it. I know that next weekend will also be beautiful. I was planning a long walk for later this evening to enjoy the day.
After a bit, I opened up my email, and was literally stopped in my tracks. Hospice, no longer eligible for clinical trial, and palliative care. Knowing that this email is regarding a 14 year old child. . . . . . .
The Summer Day - Mary Oliver
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
After the Devastating news of this email, this family brings up an interesting notion.
the balance of quality time and quantity of time. . . . . Today, for example, is as beautiful a New England summer morning as you could dream of during a winter nor’easter.
Today I ask you all to keep in mind and remember. . . . .
this life is a precious miracle that is as brief as it is brilliant. Tell someone how much you love him or her today.
the balance of quality time and quantity of time. . . . . Today, for example, is as beautiful a New England summer morning as you could dream of during a winter nor’easter.
Today I ask you all to keep in mind and remember. . . . .
this life is a precious miracle that is as brief as it is brilliant. Tell someone how much you love him or her today.
RSS Feed
