Hope
October 19, 2010 by thickethouse | Edit
a folk art bird
Our Ohio State Bird – the Cardinal
There is a poem which has been running through my head a lot lately – one by Emily Dickenson. In my bedroom hangs a small picture with the word “Hope” on it and a lot of folk art drawing around it, with a bird in the center. I think perhaps this alludes back to her famous poem.
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune–without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I’ve heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
I haven’t written about this in my blog, but some of you know already. In mid-August I was diagnosed with cancer which was called metastatic melanoma. The first book I picked up to read about this called it the Tyrannosaurus Rex of cancers. Not what I wanted to hear, and not perhaps always accurate. In any event, I’ve been undergoing what felt like thousands of tests, but actually were only eight, and two surgeries, and they have not found any more cancer so far. So thus far, I’ve been very lucky. I’ve also had a host of people praying for me! Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist and even a Muslim who works near Chicago with a friend of my son’s who asked everyone he works with to pray for me. (They do high level work for a global security firm which I had not imagined to be such a spiritual powerhouse. Who knew? ;-> We live and learn.)
I am grateful to everyone who was praying, sending “maudvibes” (from friends from the Maud Hart Lovelace discussion list) or well wishes. They all made me feel very supported. And perhaps this affects the immune system, too.
At any rate for the moment life goes on, this precious fragile life, this astonishing gift we share and should never ignore. No. We should open our eyes every second to its wonders and blessings. No one lasts forever, and indeed, I might die in a car accident tomorrow. But for the moment, that little bird, Hope, is singing me the sweetest songs you can imagine. (a postscript – I see my last bird image is the blue jay which has not perhaps the sweetest song of all warblers, not being a warbler at all. Indeed of all the birds I know only the Great Blue Heron and the Peacock have more raucous unmusical voices. But I will leave this image because the blue jay is part of life, and so am I and all of you. And all our songs are beautiful if we know how to listen deeply and really well.)
Bluejay from Ohio
I love that poem and I am so glad you are still alive and kicking and well (if as I expect, feeling the affects of age as I do). 😉
This post reminded me of something that happened a few weeks ago. I was sitting in the van and feeling quite depressed about the circumstances of life when a teeny tiny bird landed close on the sidewalk next to where I was parked.
It was before the recent rains and I noticed how the bird was chubby and seemed quite happy. My thoughts went to the verse about God’s provision for the sparrow and how He does the same for me. I think He sent that bird!
What a lovely re-post – so glad you are feeling well. Thanks for posting this. I’ve always loved this poem. Hope is a wonderful thing. My favorite verse: Romans 15:13.
Gratitude seems to be the dominating feeling in me and in my life, for what I have and am and can do, never dwelling on what I do not have and am not and can not do, unless those “nots” act as motivation for me to do better.
Glad to hear of the change of diagnosis for you – you and your family must be so happy about this! I know someone who, when they were pronounced cured after a life-threatening illness, started to celebrate that day as their 2nd birthday, and quite rightly so, I think.
This post just knocked my socks off. Sometimes we float along through life unaware of others and what they are facing. Such was obviously the case for me not knowing about your health scare.
We have said goodbye to a dear young man of only 30 last Friday. I am reminded all over again of how tenuous is our grasp on life and how the silver cord can break at any time. It’s so good to know the One who holds our very lives in His hands. His hands: the safest place in all the world to be!
You have such a gift with words and with sharing your heart. I don’t think it was really my idea to have you do a reposting at all…higher powers were at work! =D
Thanks for this repost and for the inspiring words and the wake-up call. I love the news in the opening paragraph, and I haven’t read that poem for years! I’m about to have dinner and I’m feeling awfully grateful.
Rejoicing for for you,my blogger friend.
I’m so glad for you and hope that you stay well.
I’ve just looked at the little video of Andy. While I have no idea why engines are interesting (shame on me) I loved his enthusiasm.
What a beautiful post.
And I am so happy for you 🙂
Beautiful post beautiful poem, I’m so happy for you.
(Yes the flowers are in my texan pitcher. I try to have always a cheerful bunch of flowers in it. It is in front of my couch and makes me always smile)