Sunday, September 14, 2008

Reflecting

Sabine's artery and vein connection still continues to function (a strong "bruit!"). If it wasn't for the dialysis, it would seem like we have a very normal life right now. How things have changed since those day days earlier this year.

This coming weekend we are going on a "trial run" for three days with our dialysis machine. We will be at a bed and breakfast and motel in the Dubuque, IA area for our experiment.

All this sounds so easy now, but deep down in the back of my mind there is always the wariness; watching for danger, remembering that all this could quickly end and we could go back into a medical crisis with this cancer.

I want to live in this moment. Not to fret. To thank God for everyday we have together and not to spoil it by worrying about things I can't control.

Over the years, I have watched a pair of swans return to a pond just south of us. This year only one returned. A poem began to form within me and I now share it with you...

each year we see them

two swans

on the pond south of us

we look for their faithful

arrival each year



a couple

each year

they mate and hatch a young or two

the chicks never seem to make it

they are gone

much too soon

and yet

each year we see them

faithfully arrive

but this year

only one has settled on the pond

he swims and

nests across from where

they made their home

not approaching that sacred place

will he be back next year?

to visit these memories of their youth?

to see their nest again

now but a remnant

in the changing landscape

of these breathtaking

hills and valleys?

God's blessings to all of you!