Seamless. For some reason it's one of my favorite words. I don't use it very often, but I like the implications. So, it's ironic that these days not much about my life is seamless. Nothing is uncomplicated. Everything is awkward. As I adjust to new limitations, there's no such thing as an easy transition... unless I choose to adapt. And I do, indeed, choose to. I choose to make my transitions as emotionally and physically seamless as possible. Each striving to be steeped in gratitude.

For example, this morning I awoke to a question mark. No. Seriously. Sometime during the night my body took the shape of a question mark, but that didn't stop me from getting to the kitchen to start my coffee. Despite the new punctuation my body had chosen, my day was off to a seamless start. I knew that eventually I would begin to more closely resemble an exclamation point.

Nothing about this post will be seamless. I keep a little notebook in a backpack that now serves as my purse. I take notes here and there, so this post will be here and there.


*****


I pace myself carefully these days, which allows me to continue to enjoy my independence. If I leave the house, I do it only once on any given day, usually. Though many people offer to give an assist, I'm holding off until I really need it. Taking care of myself keeps me strong. Accomplishments are grand. I employ little adjustments.

For example, when I do grocery shopping, I don't bring all the groceries into the house. I only tote the perishables and leave everything else for another day... paper goods, containers of cranberry juice - stuff like that.

If I go to church, I leave after the sermon. Call me crazy, but that's my primary reason to get up and get there. Amanda was born to preach. She nourishes me - my heart, my thoughts. I take her words home with me - to chew on and integrate into my life. (Um, full disclosure: I also attend Morton because of the fine folk I enjoy seeing and visiting.)(Oh, and Jesus, too. God, for sure. OMG, the music! I loved last Sunday's centering music.)


*****


Yesterday I tore around my home trying to find my cell phone. I'd misplaced it. Panic. Huge donkey-nose panic.

There are two essential items I require these days: oxygen and my phone. Nothing else really matters or is required. Well, until I lose my mind when I can't find my phone.

As I retraced my steps over and over again, panicky thoughts zoomed into my head: What if Cleveland Clinic calls and I don't answer. OMG, they'll move on to the next person in the queue waiting for an evaluation. OMG. Where's my donkey-nose phone!

Yeah. Welcome to my lunatic world.


*****


Yesterday I mailed a small package to my two favorite seminarians. I had so much fun with this simple task. When I got to the post office I asked for my favorite postmistress (Is that what they're called? Sounds like a mail order hussy). Her name is Mary Ellen. And she's not a hussy. I adore her. I would adore her even if she was a mail order hussy. But she isn't... a mail order hussy. Anyway, she's always jolly with a megawatt smile embellished with super-duper-red lipstick. She's one of my prayer warriors and I knew I had to give her an update ASAP in order for her to redirect her prayers to Cleveland Clinic.

It was such a feel good moment. She took my hands and passionately professed her intentions to stream prayers for me. She raised her face toward the heavens, closed her eyes, and with her beautiful smile glistening with super-duper-red lipstick, she vowed to stream prayers nonstop. The other employee smiled a large smile. Another customer smiled a large smile. It was an unexpected holy moment. In a town like Monteagle, a person can expect good stuff like this. It happens all the time.

Just so you know... I'm not a prayer beggar. These people just land in my life. I'm so grateful. They gift me with: Comfort. Hope. Faith.


*****


I am one lucky woman.


*****

To liven this post a bit, below are some recent additions to my collection. I'm thrilled.




Serving Greens & Cornbread by P.Ford





Phurba Namgay is a renowned Bhutanese Thangka artist.
I'm thrilled to have several of his canvases.







Girl with Crow by Nancy Donommee
Nancy is Canadian and one of my favorite artists.
I have numerous works of hers.







A paperweight I discovered in a shop in Nashville. I likey.