And the seasons, they go round and round.
The painted ponies go up and down.
We're captured on the carousel of time.
We can't return, we can only look
behind from where we came,
And go round and round in the circle game.
Joni Mitchell
Being deacons, Phil and I spend a considerable amount of time in hospitals. Waiting, hugging, crying, praying. This Mother's Day was just another day in our life, and yet, more. Today we had two hospital visits. One, to a happy young couple who had just given birth to their long awaited baby. This is my favorite kind of visit, and holding a brand new life is always miraculous. Then on to the next visit, an older friend who is suffering from cancers, and very sick. The hospital floor is shaped in a circle, with a big atrium in the center and the rooms all around the outside. And today we played the circle game for real. Going around the circle from one extreme to the other. New life, and the end of life, all on the same floor. A miniscule circle of life. It was good to walk out into the fresh air and sunshine, to breathe deeply, to drive away. But I ask you, which is more real, inside the building, or outside? Think well before you answer. I have nothing wise to impart to you here, just a recounting of my day, and a feeling of time passing very quickly and a vast eternity in my heart...I promise my next post will be unbearably cheerful, get your sunglasses ready!
You don't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when. You can only decide how you're going to live - Joan Baez
How did it get so late so soon?
It's night before it's afternoon.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon? - Dr. Seuss
"Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you...From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God. Do not be far from me..." Psalm 22:9
12 comments:
In my mind... the inside is more real - only because I've been on the inside of a hospital while I held onto my Dad as he died. Thinking about it clenches my heart ...and it was almost 15 years ago. Outside is open and free and AWAY from the sad and scary feelings and images and memories.
I'm not sure one is more real than the other. I worked for many years in the hospital (as secretary). Before and after, I've been a patient there. Whenever I walk through the corridors, I get the whole mix of memories. I've been walking those corridors on my own two legs and I've been wheeled through them lying on a bed. Without some time inside those walls, I also wouldn't be able to walk outside.
I think your analogy of the hospital circle is a good one for real life. Time passes so quickly between the two, and in between the two dates is a dash. A poet named Linda Ellis has said that the dash is the most important because it represents how we've lived our lives.
Good, thought-provoking post, Ginny!
Very thoughtful and interesting post. There are so many stories life knows that we do not.
Those are the experiences I remember most from hospitals: the comings and goings. Thanks for the post...you always have such an interesting perspective.
Love the zeuss quote, oh so true. i have been feeling the same thing as you SURPRISE. the circle of life is GOOD and you did go from one extreme to the other. the insdie shows the circle the outside is where we have to LIVE the circle. time is going way to fast, it seems Sunday comes every other day now.
Wonderful post, Ginny. Life is like circles ---and sometimes we do feel as if we are going around in circles literally!!!
AND---my son and I were just talking yesterday about how life is so precious. None of us knows from one minute to the next what tomorrow holds. We do need to make the best of every single day (minute) --and hopefully our circles will continue.--from birth til death.
Loved your post. I know that your ministry as deacons is so special to both you and Phil. AND--those visits mean alot to the people in the hospital.
Hugs,
Betsy
Yep, this Ozarks farm chick knows too well of the 'circle of life.' My hubby is a deacon also and teaches the adult SS class. Me? Well since I'm just a kid a heart and will never grow up, I teach the pre-teen SS class and am the Kid's Church leader. I'm so glad I popped over.
From the stormy hills and hollers of the Missouri Ponderosa, ya'll have a wonderfully blessed week!!!
I think I've visited that hospital. Is it King's Daughters? Very thought provoking post. My very first job out of college was at the VA Hospital in Salem. It was a large neuropsychiatric hospital with a medical and surgical ward. At that time, there were many elderly WW II veterans, a few WW I veterans and veterans from Korea. Some had been there for decades. I just heard a report on NPR that the VA is now gearing up for the men and women arriving from Afghanistan and Iraq. I do so wish that the circle of war/war veterans could be broken.
Best,
Bonnie
Thanks for a very thought-provoking post. The circle of live -- whether inside or outside -- is full of surprises.
I'm tempted to grab a piece of left over cheese cake, then reply..uh, between bites (lol)! Well, I always love that song..haunting- yet such a lovely piece! I found your question intriguing- when you asked which is more real..inside the building or out? In an off the wall sort of way, it reminded me of prisons and how you have all sorts of various crimes being committed daily (you offend one point in the law..guilty of all); meaning that there are only some in prison. Having said that, I think it may be that inside that building could possibly be more a more of a concentrated thing, or what have you from a buildup- illness or giving birth. But honestly Ginny, the best blogs are the most real! I can't help but look around and think of human nature (much is not acknowledged for what it is) sticking ones head in the sand? So that is my funny kind of answer/reaction I suppose, as it may not be so different really- on the outside? I enjoyed your thought provoking post and quotes too-
Hi Ginny....RYC: I was told that Clematis like their base shaded and the rest of the vine in more sun. I have two and the one that is doing the best is HUGELY thick and really shades the entire bottom third...the top is facing west. The one I have in front facing the south, bottom kind of shaded is not doing as well. There....now you have all the info I've been taught. And the bubble machine came from Wal-Mart of Target....not a real fancy machine. BUT WAY FUN!!!!!
I remember the 20 some years of church leadership and all the emotions to walk through with church members....it kept us pressed in, relying on Him to go with the flow of what was needed in each situation. Bless your hearts!
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