Sparrowman’s Perch

Health.  That’s usually the biggie in which folks give as an answer when asked "what are you thankful for the most?"  Those who are before a certain age usually go along the lines of "Oh, yeah, there’s that".  After a certain age, health is what is discussed the most.  Those my age and a bit older are a starting to be a bit more attentive to those in that certain after-age group. 

First of all, I do not wish to use these d’akujems as a means to say, "hey, look at me, I have this and I’m better than you…".  A few friends of mine do have some health problems–some worse than others.  We all have something that is "wrong" with us in one way or another.  That’s life; that’s Nature.  Some things unfortunately happen to us in that health is no longer the same as before.  

I am thankful for my health.  I can move about and function decently.  "I function within defined parameters" as Star Trek’s Mr. Data might say.  I do have a few things that could be considered as wrong.  I’m badly nearsighted like Velma on Scooby Doo.  I actually have to keep an eye on glaucoma possibilities (pun intended).  I need to have stuff like scuba gear attached to my face at night when I sleep since I tend to stop breathing periodically (i.e., sleep apnea).   Mentally, some may think that I’ve lost it years ago, but trust me, despite being a recovering melancholic, things could be worse.  They could be better though.

A good and very dear friend of mine, Barb F., died a few years ago.  I miss being a guinea pig for her when she experimented with a new dinner idea. We would watch Star Trek TNG reruns afterward and/or talk about our travels and experiences.  She was diabetic and was blind for a number of years as a result of that condition.  I know she missed her vision and the ability to do things she used to do.  You’d never know that with her.  She was one of the most positive, vivacious, social, engaging persons that I’ve ever met.  Her faith was strong and I felt that mine got stronger just by even being with her.   She lived a life of gratefulness and grace.  I wish I had at least half of what she had in terms of her outlook.   Again, the cognitive psychologists say that so much is in the attitude—in how we look at things that influence how we act and/or see ourselves.  (The existential phenomenological psychologists say similarly, BTW). 

Again, I digress a bit.  For what I have, I am very thankful for my current health and I’ll leave it at that. 

(Barb F., I still and really miss you.  I wish you were here.  But, you are, I believe, with family and friends who have gone before you and are among the Communion of Saints.  You can now see and sing those great Episcopal and Anglican hymns you loved here.  But you now have the Beatific vision, which of course, is the ultimate vision.  Requiest in pacem. L )

Side note:  As much as I’d like to, I don’t think I can come up with decent d’akujems on a daily basis.  I will aim for weekly but I may do more.  I just don’t want to end up saying stuff like, "I’m thankful for the butterfly that flutters past my ear in the afternoon sun…"  If I start saying such things, first wonder what I’m on and then second, you can just shoot me.