Joseph, I.was in hospital for twelve days recently. For a broken femur. I loved those twelve days. I'm 73 and i was blown away by the richness of the small and the inconsequential, the kindness and care, the humour, the efficiency....and .your piece of writing evokes the same feeling....the absolutely irreplaceable joy of simply being part of "community". The other patients, the staff, the range of powerful emotions...all shared and visible. One night, before sleep, the three of us elderly patients in that room on the orthopedic ward, sang to each other....in the dark, with individual curtains drawn around our beds...one Chinese, one Welsh, one new Zealander....so so so rich. And the humbling realisation that my own eccentric authenticity was one of the reasons this happened and that we each had 'the courage to sing'. I sang "ah,poor bird, take thy flight".
Thank you for articulating the miraculous humanity of your small community! Wow.
This was absolutely beautiful to read and brought tears to my eyes. Such important work to let our lights shine and to fan the flames of our friends. Thank you for sharing this Joe.
Joseph, I.was in hospital for twelve days recently. For a broken femur. I loved those twelve days. I'm 73 and i was blown away by the richness of the small and the inconsequential, the kindness and care, the humour, the efficiency....and .your piece of writing evokes the same feeling....the absolutely irreplaceable joy of simply being part of "community". The other patients, the staff, the range of powerful emotions...all shared and visible. One night, before sleep, the three of us elderly patients in that room on the orthopedic ward, sang to each other....in the dark, with individual curtains drawn around our beds...one Chinese, one Welsh, one new Zealander....so so so rich. And the humbling realisation that my own eccentric authenticity was one of the reasons this happened and that we each had 'the courage to sing'. I sang "ah,poor bird, take thy flight".
Thank you for articulating the miraculous humanity of your small community! Wow.
Thanks Evelyn. Doing our best out here. Wish you good healing and song :)
Beautiful and inspiring...what a simple kindness, what a perfect offering...
This was absolutely beautiful to read and brought tears to my eyes. Such important work to let our lights shine and to fan the flames of our friends. Thank you for sharing this Joe.
Thanks Kevin. Appreciate you.