Monday, December 28, 2009

A Wrinkle in Time

Couple of weeks ago I was passing the time in this hospital waiting area while Beloved Beautiful was undergoing a procedure. Looking across the rotunda, I snapped this scene. Traffic (that would be the red van) moving by on Highway 19 between the hospital and the school across the street. As it happens, directly beyond the white car in the school parking lot, you will see the windows to the office I occupied for eighteen years.

Such a small part of the world. And yet it is such a major part of my life. For two decades and more, these two facilities, the school and the hospital, were huge foci of my very being, body and soul. I worked in the school, five, six and sometimes seven days a week. I probably devoted more time to it than was really necessary; and I don't really know whether or not that made any difference to anyone. In the hospital, notwithstanding all the tests, treatments and TLC, I watched two of my spouses pass to their eternal home. My kids were x-rayed and patched here. My daughters and my granddaughters gave birth here. And I spent a couple of short stays myself, for even I am subject to the ills of the flesh.

A little bit of the Earth, encompassing perhaps 4000 square yards. Yet it represents a huge portion of my life on this planet.

9 comments:

Secondary Roads said...

That is a small world.

Anonymous said...

This is what roots looks like. Take notes, kiddies.

Lin said...

Isn't that funny on how all of that happened within feet of each other? The world seems so big sometimes, but then again, so small. Big things happening in a small circumference. Sweet.

Silver said...

I was surprised to learn of the amount of time you had given of yourself to the school(and community). Of course, that would make a difference! I wish my community and schools everywhere had someone like you.. !

love,
~Silver

vanilla said...

Chuck, it is a small world, after all. Disney had it right!

Jim, it is. And to think I didn't really understand the concept of "roots" before I was thirty. Nomadic.

Lin, they say "Good things come in small packages." As you say, Big things can happen in small spaces. The world is truly no bigger than our imagination. And no smaller. The mind: the final frontier.

Silver, there are lots of good, dedicated people in the schools. But, too, there are some for which it is just a job.

Sharkbytes said...

Our lives do seem to focus on very small areas some times, don't they? It must seem very strange to look over at those windows and now be "outside."

vanilla said...

Sharkbytes, it really is no longer "strange" to be on the outside. I'm now in my twentieth year of retirement and enjoying the ride down "secondary roads," as Chuck might say.

Unknown said...

DH just said last post of yours was 'good', it was WONDERFUL!

Hope your DH is going t be ok. I have enjoyed my meeting you this year.

I'll be in & our of communication over the next few weeks.

May your New Year be blessed & joyful ... TTFN ~ Marydon

vanilla said...

Thank you, Marydon. Things look pretty good on the health front.
I'll be checking your site for any updates!

May you and yours have a wonderful 2010!