Playing Fair and Being Kind

Which is slightly better than being out of my head. My favorite state of mind is to be bouncing from calm to total panic. Maybe not total panic but someplace solidly between anxious and worried. Today and yesterday I was slightly to one side of concerned and feeling discomfort. My breathing has been problematic these past few years. At one time back then, maybe three years ago I was rushed to Midcoast Hospital in Brunswick, Maine in response to a difficult breathing episode. I was “smoking and joking” and laughing it up with the first responders, totally unaware of the seriousness of my condition. My condition, as it turns out, was bi-lateral pulmonary embolism. I love being able to say that. “Bi-lateral pulmonary embolism”. Like the phrase, “I once caught a bluefish while deep-sea fishing off the coast of Spain”. Words are so important. Advanced beyond sign-language for sure.

Anyway, here I am telling you about a thought of mine. Back to our story.

Here it is slightly encoded and obfuscated to protect the innocent. I hope your day is going as well as mine or better. Be well.

THANKSGIVING 2018

We have arrived. Here it is 22 November 2018. Some of us are thrilled with this positioning of the ball of mud we fly through the sky upon. Some, not so much. I honor your presence however you find today fits your circumstance.

I am fortunate. The luck of the Irish. Or the Scots-Irish, or the French, or the English, whatever the beginnings of our existence. I am still fortunate to be drawing breath, thinking through my eyes, using most bodily functions with comfort. My chest x-ray from yesterday came back clear. Read by the duty doctor at my health clinic in Brunswick, Maine. I’m good to go, as we say.

Last night I was writing my will. This morning I am looking forward to dinner. How do we do it? What thread is there that is caught on our mental button, the snag that pops up frequently after the age of 35 or 40. Those of us who always searched for the edge of life, tip-toed along the dotted line of safe/not-safe. We who imagined we were bullet-proof, fire retardant, fully resistant to electricity. My philosophy, developed over decades of mistakes and poor decisions has been, “Some days chicken; some days feathers”. For me, it works. We are lucky to be here.

So; I am here with you. I don’t know where my children are exactly. The same as they do not know where I am exactly. My life-style keeps them guessing. That will take care of itself. I am here with you. I know you just a little but I know you a lot as well. We have our fears, doubts, and insecurities. That makes us kin. I feel honored to be here. To be wanted and appreciated. Thank you for being here too. Let’s share what we have on this lovely day of human confusion. Happy Thanksgiving. Take this moment to remember we are the fortunate of all we know. In our deepest part of ourselves realize this is the best of the best. To honestly be present to share this terrific meal together. This meal that Eric and Nina have provided with the help of you all. I am lucky that all I had to bring is my teeth. We are the luckiest people I know.

G. M. Goodwin
Thanksgiving Day 2018