Thursday, January 13, 2022

The Answer

As I write this, it's 71 degrees in the house and I'm having bone-rattling chills, even wearing a heavy winter coat and a fur hat. Not... well, I was about to say 'cool', but maybe 'not fun' instead, yeah?

Anyway, there is an answer and antidote to cancer, at least for me. It's simply stated as just having fun, living each moment, even the shivering ones, the best way I can.

And it is a choice. First thing in the morning, I can either ask Barb about her night, or bewail my own. What I do sets the tone of the day...is it all about me, or is it about grace?

It's a choice through every waking moment, to keep things light. These days I need help bathing, to get into and out of the tub. A couple of nights ago Barb apologised that we'd run out of body wash, and that I'd have to use shampoo. "It's moisturizing," she said.

(Now, please bear in mind that I try to stay in some kind of shape, and still have a 50" chest and 22" biceps. If I were 6'4" it would be imposing. As I'm 5'9" I look like an amiable ape.)

"Well, golly," I replied, "it does make me feel soft and feminine! Makes me want to put on a tutu, and twirl down the street, channeling Bette Midler."

Barb rolled her eyes. I thought about what I'd said, and realized how wrong that was, on many levels. "No, not really. I'm more of a Cyndi Lauper kind of gal...Girls just wanna have fu-un..."

Barb, one of these days your eyes are gonna get stuck like that.

Humour may not be the answer for everyone, but I have been through a variant of Kubler-Ross' stages of dying... through denial and defiance... and I've landed here, with a Woody Woodpecker laugh.

Meet it with aggression,
fight past where hope is gone,
for hell is now in session,
so meet the foe head-on.
Laugh while you are bleeding,
dance when you can't sleep;
the devil won't be heeding
the salt tears that you weep,
but there's one thing to ensure
distress through all of hell,
and that is smiling to endure,
and live your days so well
that you put, if marked to die
a last sharp stick in Satan's eye.

The Five Minute Friday prompt this week is DETERMINE. Ok...

It's just lately I am learnin'
what I wish I'd known from birth,
and that's letting God determine
all my steps upon the earth.
For so long I really thought
I was smart, could find my way,
but all that pride had really bought
was a load of stable-hay,
food for cows and maybe horses,
beds for goats and maybe sheep,
but the stars up in their courses
showed me Company to keep
and led me to the Golden Door,
bade me kneel on Throne-Room floor.

Made it!

Music from The Cyrkle, with a blast from the past, Red Rubber Ball.

Sylvia's always up for a laugh, especially when it includes ice cream.



 





 

32 comments:

  1. Keep having fun, my friend (maybe without the tutu). Through these challenges, your uplifting and faithful thoughts challenge us - to embrace life and joy and faith more fully. Thank you.

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    1. Karen, thank you so much... I'm really honoured!

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  2. You amaze me Andrew. I think having fun is the way to go, tutu and all.

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    1. Leon, thanks, and yeah, I think I could rock a tutu!

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  3. I appreciate your determination to choose joy and to find humour even when things are so hard.

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    1. Lesley, thank you so much. Joy is a decision; sometimes not an easy one.

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  4. You guys are a match made in heaven!

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  5. I think this is a question we all face every day, Andrew, "Is it all about me, or is it about grace?"

    I really liked this:
    It's just lately I am learnin' what I wish I'd known from birth,
    and that's letting God determine all my steps upon the earth...
    but the stars up in their courses showed me Company to keep
    and led me to the Golden Door, bade me kneel on Throne-Room floor.

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    1. Lisa, yes! That is the fundamental issue...is it about me, or about grace... thank you for this!

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  6. My Dad joked his way into heaven, and could crack up his family to within a few days of his death from oesophageal cancer. Many of my memories are unrepeatable here, but very precious. Keep on laughing, Barb and Andrew.

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    1. Tish, thank you so much for sharing the memory of your Dad!

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  7. Keep writing, I love both poems but the last line stuck, made it. Wow!

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    1. Rhonda, thank you so much... I am delighted that the last line touched you.

      It's been a rough week, but I'll keep going.

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  8. Amazing how those first thoughts/questions/reactions in the morning can set the tone for the whole day! Hooray for choosing grace!

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    1. Jennifer, you're absolutely right, that the right choice in the morning can set the day.

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  9. I think that if God has a bottle for keeping our tears, surely he has one for our laughter too; probably a special one for the times we laugh through our tears or in spite of them. What a blessed way to begin each day - choosing grace!

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    1. Kym, I love the thought that God has a bottle for our laughter... perfect!

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  10. Andrew, you both are amazing. Your ability to keep on writing, to keep on laughing, and to keep on dancing is surely an inspiration. Thank you for reminding me to make a choice this morning - grace all day!

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    1. Joanne, thank you so much for this affirmation... I am so moved, and so grateful.

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  11. (((((Andrew)))))

    Annie in Texas

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  12. Andrew, this is wonderful! Keep having fun, my friend. O loved your poem of determination, I feel the same way. Continued prayers for you and Barb coming your way 🤗

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    1. Paula, I am really glad that you enjoyed this. Determination is the only way to live, yeah?

      We're very grateful for your prayers.

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  13. I can almost picture Barb's facial expression. Thank you for sharing your determination to find humor in the middle of trials. This is a great reminder that we can chose our outlook on life. I am praying for you and Barb. -Jolene

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    1. Jolene, yeah, Barb's expression was a Kodak moment!

      It's really all a choice, you're right... grace or despair, faith or doubt, life or death.

      Let's choose life.

      Many thanks for prayers!

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  14. Andrew, great thoughts and poems. I love that you and Barb can share humor. You've got a knack for it. Wish I could say the same of myself. :) Thank you for the reminder to live intentionally and yieldedly before Jesus.

    I'm continuing to pray for you, Barb, and the dogs!

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    1. Jeanne, thank you for this. We do have fun.

      And thanks, especially, for your prayers!

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  15. Stephanie, you put this so well! Thank you!

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