This morning. Am I actually seeing some sunshine out there? You can see little bits of light shining on the sofa.
We can use a day of sunshine. There hasn’t been much at all lately, just an endless progression of gray skies. Today, we travel to a town on the Hudson River, about an hour south of us, for a ‘Celebration of Life’ for our friend Rick, who passed away a couple of weeks ago from a long battle with a rare strain of pneumonia.
And last night, we learned that our dear friend (and Don’s very best friend) has to have open heart surgery. He has been battling heart failure for a long time and the doctors want to assess his readiness for surgery. This surgery would be to install a Left Ventricle Assisted Device, which would assist in pumping his heart. They’ve tried everything else. Adrian is a fellow actor and Don has known him since both of them were in their 20s. We are, needless to say, very concerned and worried for him. He’s been through so much in his life and he’s only a couple of years older than Don.
A lot of time has been spent praying lately.
It’s all too much, of course, but we’re no different from anyone else.
Yesterday, I spent time trying to gain perspective. The cancellation of the move to Broadway, which had to do with not being able to reach an agreement between the producers and an actor, has stunned all of us. I was so looking forward to it. And the fee – whatever it would have ended up being – is needed here at the cottage. It’s one thing when this happens to you at the age of 40 or 50, but another thing entirely when you’re 70. I’m very aware of time passing, seemingly very quickly. Anyway, I communicated with someone involved in the show and felt better afterward. I still feel a bit angry, but that is slowly fading away.
Now, I’m just very sad.
I could hold out hope that the situation might change, but I doubt that it will.
So I spent the day reading and doing laundry and watching videos on YouTube – all of these being perfect vehicles for escape. And I need that right now.
I don’t have a puzzle on hand or I would have started one.
Thankful for a sunny Saturday.
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
Prayers today…prayers..
Such is our lives these years…heartbreaking. I am hanging in as are you. Hope you get to read…get a new puzzle or take out an old favorite one. You are loved and cared about.
Thank you, Brenda.
Stay safe.
Makes us want to treasure the sunny days and happy moments.
Stay safe, Claudia.
Yes.
Stay safe, Ellen.
so many losses …
i am sorry that you and don have those things to deal with, but am glad you have sunshine, books, chores and other enjoyments/distractions and each other.
my prayers continue.
stay safe.
kathy
Thank you, Kathy.
Stay safe.
Oh, dear, that is very worrieome about Dan’s friend. Prayers that his surgery goes well. It will be an emotional afternoon for you and Don. Your lovely home will offer a sanctuaty when you get back. Fingers crossed that things might change re the Broadway cancellation. You just never know. Stay safe out there in the world. Hugs, Elaine
Thank you, Elaine.
Stay safe.
Claudia, thinking of you and Don at this time.
Thank you, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Also. I
Absolutely adore your room.
Thank you, Brenda.
Stay safe.
Our heart breaks for your friends. Oh, how wonderful to have had them in your lives.
Thank you, Lottie.
Stay safe.
It’s hard when you have so much coming down on you that you need a hat, or so the expression goes.
My cousin is only age 73 and she just had a multi-bypass heart surgery; doing fine. My dad had an aortic valve replacement surgery as soon as they could pull him off life support after his heart failed; he was, at the time, age 65 and had been fighting heart issues since he was age 52. The surgery wasn’t perfected yet (and had a high mortality rate), but he made it. His titanium heart valve outlasted him. He wasn’t even in the greatest shape physically; wasn’t a sports-outdoor kind of guy or anything.
They’ve made incredible strides in the medical community over the years with these life-saving operations. I might add that my dad got to live a relatively-active life for twenty years after he skirted death and was able to have that surgery within a couple of days of being removed from a ventilator (this particular surgery was, also at the time, a lot more complicated than bypass, and they never actually finished on the operating table because they couldn’t keep Dad on the heart/lung machine any longer during the surgery, so other valves didn’t get worked on although, thankfully, they never went on to be any kind of big problem for him).
Dad worked at his office job thereafter (full-time til he was age 80) although he’d begun to wind down his business little by little over the ensuing years. But I’m just so glad we got him longer than could have been the other outcome, and that he was on his feet; stronger.
Hope, faith and prayers, Claudia and Don; hang in there. We’re all thinking of you at this difficult time in your life. I don’t know the ancient origins, maybe it’s from the Bible (forgive my ignorance), but I find this phrase soothing and maybe you’ve already even said it in past-recent posts, “All shall be well.” It’s reassuring.
It’s from Julian of Norwich: All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.
Thanks, Vicki.
Stay safe.
dear Claudia/Don — very sorry to read re friends health issues — it is indeed disturbing — we are hoping good news will be coming. today, here in Ky we have a wonderful, beautiful sunny day after many days of cloudy gloomy weather — it is a terrific mood lifter!! sure you all get some good news soon. stay healthy/safe
Thank you, Linda.
Stay safe.
Too too many losses and illnesses in the lives of everyone I know. Hoping Don’s friend will do well. The 70 mark puts time in a different perspective altogether. Less time to recover from a literal or metaphorical slip and/or bump. I turned 69 in September and 70 is looming large.
Much less time, Nora.
Stay safe.
Darn it Claudia…..more hurdles and speedbumps . I can relate. Spend most of the time alternating between anxiety with some periods of serenity. You are a sensitive and creative woman who feels deeply about your friends and your work. Do whatever you need to do to keep the anxiety managable till things improve….and they will.
Maria
Thank you, Maria.
Stay safe.
Sending good thoughts for Adrian’s surgery. Please keep us posted.
You have had such a week. So much sadness. But I’m glad you had a little sun and hope it warmed you a bit. So much to say, no words to say it. Just sending love. And wishes for peace and healing.
Thank you so much, my friend.
Stay safe.