Yes! I am very fortunate that I didn't have to survive too much relative so many other childhoods. I think my resilience was carved by being brought up amongst prairie, pioneer stock. I know there was a lot of stuff imprinted on me from that kind of lifestyle, one of them was get a knock on the head and carry on!
It was just Friday I was thinking about the boy in 4th or 5th grade (I had the same teacher for both...but I think it was 4th) who stole $17 out of my wallet. Now, me having $17 was a big deal. I didn't walk around with that kind of money. But I wanted to feel like a grown up, making my denim book bag a purse, replete with wallet. He was nearby when I showed my friend my stash. I came back a little later to my wallet open (technically, I had wadded that cash into the coin purse part of my little girl wallet. I looked up and over to him, and I knew...and he knew I knew. And I didn't say anything because I knew my mother would say it was my fault/I had no business bringing that money to school, and also because he wasn't a bad kid. Just a little poor and awkward. (We were a middle class neighborhood for the most part; my family was dead-center in that regard.) We ended up going all through school together, graduating high school. He remained a good kid. And we always had that quiet acknowledgement of what we both knew. But, Donna, I can't imagine how scary that was for you. Just awful. Yet, I could hear the calm little you just managing it. Asking the good questions. Figuring it out. I'm so glad it wasn't worse, even if some parts could've been better. xo
Hey Sandra, $17 was a big deal back then for sure! I get why you kept quiet, for both him and you. My Mom would have said exactly the same thing! Keeping that incident between the two of you may have taught him a bigger lesson than if you had told someone about it. Perhaps he saw human kindness and could learn to trust. Who knows?
I appreciate you sharing this story that has some similarities to mine. Thank you so much for your kind words❤️
This was lovely. A beautiful allegory for us all and it left me wanting to know more of your story. I wonder if the head injury somehow lead you to chiropractic care as it can treat all sorts of ailments.
Whenever people ask what Jeffrey and I are doing for V Day I always reply, "Every day is Valentine's Day with hubby."
It does seem like every day is Valentine's Day for you two, it's pretty awesome! I wish you both a very happy one💕
Chiropractic care was always a big part of my health care as my parents took me well before this accident occurred, but I'm sure I would have needed a few adjustments to get sorted out afterwards. I don't have any chronic neck issues so thankfully I don't think there was any lasting damage to it but maybe I can blame the rest of my shortcomings on that fall?! I mean there's got to be a reason why I do the things I do🤣
Thank you for sharing this beautiful and impactful story. I've felt it myself, because I'm an Encephalitis survivor. I was in the hospital for 1 month, and 6. months at home and still today, after 24 years, from time to time I feel the effects of that brain injury.
My outlook on life has changed. I've become more aware of limits and finitude. And that was good. I'm more aware of myself and the world, because I know that in a second life will fade away and we'll be just an echo of the past, a photo hanging on the wall or the inspiration for an epitaph.
Going through something as difficult as Encephalitis calls for a kind of in-depth healing that is intense. A professional like you Rolando, who knows all you know about the brain, and yet the healing still has to unfold and cannot be rushed. It's one thing for this to happen as a child (thankfully I had no lasting issues including any post trauma emotional stuff) who doesn't fully grasp the consequences, but as an adult it probably felt much more daunting. I'm so glad you are well! It's fascinating that this happened to you and now you are writing deeply moving poetry.
Hello, Donna. Thanks for replying. I often say that my encephalitis has purified my brain, removing what I no longer needed and perfecting what needed to be perfected :)
I verrrry often get a shift in my thinking when I'm writing so to know that this essay may have caused a slight shift in your thinking is wonderful, thank you Barb! Your comment makes me feel like we are all in this together.❤️
Valentines Day is what you make of it. If people are lonely or alone I wish you the best out there. We all have our own path and that’s the way it is.
Since I love my wife I will make it a day to celebrate that. And also I will celebrate her being with me on many other days of the year. We will have a romantic dinner and eat chocolate. And we will do that on other nights of the year. There’s no reason not to enjoy a silly day for it.
Happy Valentine's Day (and every other day) to you and your wife Tim! I love that you celebrate life every single day, and I know you're not just saying that💕
Wow! My heart breaks for child-you and big-boy. Thank goodness the adults around you saw that you needed immediate care. You’ve given us a crystal-clear example of how judgment can wound.
Love this, too! —> “Sure, it’s internet love, I get it. BUT NOT TO ME. To me, you being here is my reason, my purpose, my passion. It’s a big deal and it doesn’t go unnoticed.” 🎯
I’ve missed my Bright Life check-ins. I’m sneaking the reading time this morning that’s been missing for months. Thinking of you in your icy walks, even when I’m just a small wind blowing through Notes. ❤️ ☃️
You are never a small wind blowing through Notes! You are a force to be reckoned with (in the best possible way) who is amazing and one of the busiest people I know. Waft around TBL any time and know that you are welcomed wholeheartedly, just as you know our tie binds even when we don't interact as much as we wish❤️❤️❤️
Oh my gosh, what an experience! I want to pull both little Donna and that boy into a big hug. And if ever there was a story that perfectly illustrates the meaning of The Hanged Man tarot card, this is it. From now on, this is the one I'll think of every time I pull that card. 💖💖
Yes, The Hanged Man! Even though I don't know much about Tarot this idea certainly illustrates what I feel about this situation. We can hug little me and little him from this point in time...they will feel it. Thank you for being here Jenna😘
We were survivors then…weren’t we? Maybe even resilient
Yes! I am very fortunate that I didn't have to survive too much relative so many other childhoods. I think my resilience was carved by being brought up amongst prairie, pioneer stock. I know there was a lot of stuff imprinted on me from that kind of lifestyle, one of them was get a knock on the head and carry on!
For certain, there were less guardrails back then…we did the calculus and figured our ways
It was just Friday I was thinking about the boy in 4th or 5th grade (I had the same teacher for both...but I think it was 4th) who stole $17 out of my wallet. Now, me having $17 was a big deal. I didn't walk around with that kind of money. But I wanted to feel like a grown up, making my denim book bag a purse, replete with wallet. He was nearby when I showed my friend my stash. I came back a little later to my wallet open (technically, I had wadded that cash into the coin purse part of my little girl wallet. I looked up and over to him, and I knew...and he knew I knew. And I didn't say anything because I knew my mother would say it was my fault/I had no business bringing that money to school, and also because he wasn't a bad kid. Just a little poor and awkward. (We were a middle class neighborhood for the most part; my family was dead-center in that regard.) We ended up going all through school together, graduating high school. He remained a good kid. And we always had that quiet acknowledgement of what we both knew. But, Donna, I can't imagine how scary that was for you. Just awful. Yet, I could hear the calm little you just managing it. Asking the good questions. Figuring it out. I'm so glad it wasn't worse, even if some parts could've been better. xo
Hey Sandra, $17 was a big deal back then for sure! I get why you kept quiet, for both him and you. My Mom would have said exactly the same thing! Keeping that incident between the two of you may have taught him a bigger lesson than if you had told someone about it. Perhaps he saw human kindness and could learn to trust. Who knows?
I appreciate you sharing this story that has some similarities to mine. Thank you so much for your kind words❤️
There really are a lot of hurt and lonely people in the world, and many don't show it. Thanks for the reminder, and Happy V-Day, my dear - love you 💜
Happy Valentines to you and your hubby💕 Love you too!
Donna, the compassion in this piece is really wonderful. Thanks for the reminder to consider everyone tenderly.
Happy V day!
Thank you for your kind words and your presence here, it means a lot💕
Beautifully written, powerful reminder. Thanks, Donna! And here’s to love!
Thank you Elizabeth. It's wonderful to see you here and yes, here's to love❤️
Love ya Donna. You’re a spiritual head-knocker! Now we know where it came from. ☺️
So true on judgment. The story of others is invisible to us but we rise to the quick—and in fact are judging ourselves and our own fears when we do.
Thanks for the kind reminder.
Haha, a spiritual head-knocker! I love that.
Absolutely, we are judging ourselves and running from what we don't want to see when we are shining the light on others.
Enjoy Valentine's Day with your love💕
This was lovely. A beautiful allegory for us all and it left me wanting to know more of your story. I wonder if the head injury somehow lead you to chiropractic care as it can treat all sorts of ailments.
Whenever people ask what Jeffrey and I are doing for V Day I always reply, "Every day is Valentine's Day with hubby."
It does seem like every day is Valentine's Day for you two, it's pretty awesome! I wish you both a very happy one💕
Chiropractic care was always a big part of my health care as my parents took me well before this accident occurred, but I'm sure I would have needed a few adjustments to get sorted out afterwards. I don't have any chronic neck issues so thankfully I don't think there was any lasting damage to it but maybe I can blame the rest of my shortcomings on that fall?! I mean there's got to be a reason why I do the things I do🤣
What shortcomings?
🤣🤣🤣
This was such a beautiful read, my friend. I always appreciate the way you share your inspiring perspective on life! Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful and impactful story. I've felt it myself, because I'm an Encephalitis survivor. I was in the hospital for 1 month, and 6. months at home and still today, after 24 years, from time to time I feel the effects of that brain injury.
My outlook on life has changed. I've become more aware of limits and finitude. And that was good. I'm more aware of myself and the world, because I know that in a second life will fade away and we'll be just an echo of the past, a photo hanging on the wall or the inspiration for an epitaph.
Going through something as difficult as Encephalitis calls for a kind of in-depth healing that is intense. A professional like you Rolando, who knows all you know about the brain, and yet the healing still has to unfold and cannot be rushed. It's one thing for this to happen as a child (thankfully I had no lasting issues including any post trauma emotional stuff) who doesn't fully grasp the consequences, but as an adult it probably felt much more daunting. I'm so glad you are well! It's fascinating that this happened to you and now you are writing deeply moving poetry.
Hello, Donna. Thanks for replying. I often say that my encephalitis has purified my brain, removing what I no longer needed and perfecting what needed to be perfected :)
That's an amazing outlook and may be exactly what happened! Our body works in mysterious ways, as does our mind.
As I lost a good part of my hippocampus and hypothalamus, what was left had to adapt. Maybe that's when my poetic streak came out
Responding with love. Your story illustrates this need in our world. Thank you for sharing and allowing me to feel a shift in my thinking.
I verrrry often get a shift in my thinking when I'm writing so to know that this essay may have caused a slight shift in your thinking is wonderful, thank you Barb! Your comment makes me feel like we are all in this together.❤️
Valentines Day is what you make of it. If people are lonely or alone I wish you the best out there. We all have our own path and that’s the way it is.
Since I love my wife I will make it a day to celebrate that. And also I will celebrate her being with me on many other days of the year. We will have a romantic dinner and eat chocolate. And we will do that on other nights of the year. There’s no reason not to enjoy a silly day for it.
Happy Valentine's Day (and every other day) to you and your wife Tim! I love that you celebrate life every single day, and I know you're not just saying that💕
Wow! My heart breaks for child-you and big-boy. Thank goodness the adults around you saw that you needed immediate care. You’ve given us a crystal-clear example of how judgment can wound.
Love this, too! —> “Sure, it’s internet love, I get it. BUT NOT TO ME. To me, you being here is my reason, my purpose, my passion. It’s a big deal and it doesn’t go unnoticed.” 🎯
I’ve missed my Bright Life check-ins. I’m sneaking the reading time this morning that’s been missing for months. Thinking of you in your icy walks, even when I’m just a small wind blowing through Notes. ❤️ ☃️
You are never a small wind blowing through Notes! You are a force to be reckoned with (in the best possible way) who is amazing and one of the busiest people I know. Waft around TBL any time and know that you are welcomed wholeheartedly, just as you know our tie binds even when we don't interact as much as we wish❤️❤️❤️
Haha! It's a good and lucky tie. 🥰
Yes it is!!
Oh my gosh, what an experience! I want to pull both little Donna and that boy into a big hug. And if ever there was a story that perfectly illustrates the meaning of The Hanged Man tarot card, this is it. From now on, this is the one I'll think of every time I pull that card. 💖💖
Yes, The Hanged Man! Even though I don't know much about Tarot this idea certainly illustrates what I feel about this situation. We can hug little me and little him from this point in time...they will feel it. Thank you for being here Jenna😘