I don’t know what to do about the uncomfortable neck brace, the wheelchair waiting for me in the dining room, the mucus that keeps me from sleeping each night, or my insurance that is still in process to try and have coverage for the fanciest wheelchair when it gets to that.
Thank you Pam and Kathleen for 'keeping going.' And what a beautiful photo of you and Kathleen and Isaac, at home in your sunlit living room. That is Kathleen, smiling, supportive and considerate, ready to laugh despite it all. I have always known you Pam to be someone who 'can do anything' especially when I saw you sailing down the ski hill at Sunapee, jumping in to Turtle Pond, working for years helping people with medical decisions and writing several books. And now you are still 'doing it' bravely and persistently. I am so so sorry that you have to go through this now, but there you are every week telling us your truthful feelings. And now making your way to your beloved MFA in person and with Burnt Umber.
Wow! Your last sentence is a powerful one to all of us. Determining one’s purpose is essential to know what to follow. You have been so clear over the years in your purpose, albeit that your purpose has changed over the years. Your drive, Pam is so impressive. I love you and so appreciate your sharing your journey with us. Joan
Dear Pamela, Thanks for the encouragement to keep clear about working purposely each day; I can use that advice. Because going upstairs offers a different perspective (view, sun, trees, sky) from the comfy "downtown" couch, I support your continuing to take the stairs. Yes-- to working on getting the brace as comfortable as possible. Yes--to making sure Kathleen has enough time to herself and assistance with onerous tasks. Yes---to the MFA doing its part to promote the book and the ideas prominent in Burnt Umber. Dealing with the mucus is a total drag, no way around that. Therefore, your counterbalancing it with some achievable goals is a total victory. Sending love, Robin
Good old Winslow Homer. I have a lovely print of his in my living room. It’s of sailing ships in a bay. It’s a soft painting in turquoise hues that helps make my living room feel peaceful. I hope you get to see his watercolors at the MFA and I hope they snatch up your book.
Pam, I think you’re working very hard not to be stumped. You’re proactive about your needs and have made deliberate efforts to contact whomever it is that may be instrumental in getting your book into the MFA Bookstore. I so hope that will happen! The museum figured as a veritable character in the story and someone needs to recognize how amazing that is.
I can’t believe you’re responsible for the neck brace not being comfortable. You’ve persisted in your efforts with Rusty to reach that goal. As for going upstairs or not: my vote is to keep on doing it because the comfort you feel up there is palpable. I’m happy you can feel good on both floors.
Thanks so much for your encouragement and support. This definitely feels harder than when we sailed the 110 from Hingham to Marblehead in ten foot waves!
Thanks for all of your yeses. I'm working on the mucus now asking my doctor if there isn't another thing I could do to help make it go away.. Feeling hopeful--Pamela
Helen, Thanks for your vote for me to keep climbing the stairs. I do think it gives me happiness. And I hope this week to make the trip to the MFA and feel our connection.
Telling my truthful feelings helps so much. And heading to the MFA will be such a pleasure. Thanks for remembering those times of skiing and swimming with pure joy!
Hi Pam and my love to you, Kathleen and Isaac, First and foremost, try to go upstairs and be next to Kathleen and watch the seasons change and embrace it and if you can’t that’s ok,?however…. I don’t want to see you on the Frequent Faller List (which is very clever and hilarious… funny, yet not) I too want to see the Winslow Homer Exhibit. I’d be willing to drive you if that appeals to you. I’ll message you & Rebecca.. maybe she can wear her Pill Box Hat could join us. She used to sing Bob Dylan’s Pill Box Hat from time to time on our journeys to or from the train… always makes me smile when I hear that song… thank you for your Sunday updates… they also make me smile and cry. In the words of Joan Armatrading, “Show some emotion,
Put expression in your eyes, Light up if you're feeling happy,
Thank you Pam and Kathleen for 'keeping going.' And what a beautiful photo of you and Kathleen and Isaac, at home in your sunlit living room. That is Kathleen, smiling, supportive and considerate, ready to laugh despite it all. I have always known you Pam to be someone who 'can do anything' especially when I saw you sailing down the ski hill at Sunapee, jumping in to Turtle Pond, working for years helping people with medical decisions and writing several books. And now you are still 'doing it' bravely and persistently. I am so so sorry that you have to go through this now, but there you are every week telling us your truthful feelings. And now making your way to your beloved MFA in person and with Burnt Umber.
Wow! Your last sentence is a powerful one to all of us. Determining one’s purpose is essential to know what to follow. You have been so clear over the years in your purpose, albeit that your purpose has changed over the years. Your drive, Pam is so impressive. I love you and so appreciate your sharing your journey with us. Joan
Dear Pamela, Thanks for the encouragement to keep clear about working purposely each day; I can use that advice. Because going upstairs offers a different perspective (view, sun, trees, sky) from the comfy "downtown" couch, I support your continuing to take the stairs. Yes-- to working on getting the brace as comfortable as possible. Yes--to making sure Kathleen has enough time to herself and assistance with onerous tasks. Yes---to the MFA doing its part to promote the book and the ideas prominent in Burnt Umber. Dealing with the mucus is a total drag, no way around that. Therefore, your counterbalancing it with some achievable goals is a total victory. Sending love, Robin
After trying half a dozen neck braces, I gave up.
My DME vendor got me a wheelchair head rest with a large pad for the left side of my head.
My contracture won.
Good old Winslow Homer. I have a lovely print of his in my living room. It’s of sailing ships in a bay. It’s a soft painting in turquoise hues that helps make my living room feel peaceful. I hope you get to see his watercolors at the MFA and I hope they snatch up your book.
Pam, I think you’re working very hard not to be stumped. You’re proactive about your needs and have made deliberate efforts to contact whomever it is that may be instrumental in getting your book into the MFA Bookstore. I so hope that will happen! The museum figured as a veritable character in the story and someone needs to recognize how amazing that is.
I can’t believe you’re responsible for the neck brace not being comfortable. You’ve persisted in your efforts with Rusty to reach that goal. As for going upstairs or not: my vote is to keep on doing it because the comfort you feel up there is palpable. I’m happy you can feel good on both floors.
Sending love to you, Kathleen and Isaac, Helen 💞
Hold onto your purpose, Pam. It feeds your soul. And these weekly missives feed ours.
Joan,
Thank you for your encouragement and support. This definitely feels harder than when we sailed the 110 from Hingham to Marblehead in ten foot waves.
Joan,
Thanks so much for your encouragement and support. This definitely feels harder than when we sailed the 110 from Hingham to Marblehead in ten foot waves!
Robin,
Thanks for all of your yeses. I'm working on the mucus now asking my doctor if there isn't another thing I could do to help make it go away.. Feeling hopeful--Pamela
thanks so much for sharing that! I have a feeling that is how it's going to be for me, too.
Linda,
I love this Winslow Homer image from your living room. Thanks for sharing and you are nudging me forward to make this trip to the MFA this week!
Helen, Thanks for your vote for me to keep climbing the stairs. I do think it gives me happiness. And I hope this week to make the trip to the MFA and feel our connection.
Sending love, Pam
Rebecca,
Telling my truthful feelings helps so much. And heading to the MFA will be such a pleasure. Thanks for remembering those times of skiing and swimming with pure joy!
Ann,
Thank you for confirming that holding onto my purpose feeds my soul. And weekly missives feed my friends' souls. I will carry on.
Hi Pam and my love to you, Kathleen and Isaac, First and foremost, try to go upstairs and be next to Kathleen and watch the seasons change and embrace it and if you can’t that’s ok,?however…. I don’t want to see you on the Frequent Faller List (which is very clever and hilarious… funny, yet not) I too want to see the Winslow Homer Exhibit. I’d be willing to drive you if that appeals to you. I’ll message you & Rebecca.. maybe she can wear her Pill Box Hat could join us. She used to sing Bob Dylan’s Pill Box Hat from time to time on our journeys to or from the train… always makes me smile when I hear that song… thank you for your Sunday updates… they also make me smile and cry. In the words of Joan Armatrading, “Show some emotion,
Put expression in your eyes, Light up if you're feeling happy,
But if it's bad then let those tears roll down”