A fall breeze dances through yellow smiles perched atop stems of viridian hue.
Life animated by Mystery, my soul recognizes the countenance of God bursting through concrete containment in joyful revolution.
Time matters little in the space between suffocating summer heat and the stasis of first frost.
Tis not the end; death is not rustling about. The inward journey awaits.
A time to courageously strengthen
what is and what is to still to be.
Art, video and poetry by Heather Thompson
I hope you enjoyed the poem and flowers above. Now a little back story…
Discovering Joyful Smiles
By Heather Thompson, Novelorica and The Patient Perspective
Sitting outside the hospital where I’d just had a follow up appointment, I noticed the most joyful flowers emerging from a concrete enclosure. I paused my power wheelchair.
Power Wheelchair…That’s been a tough one to speak about publicly…but I’m starting to get over it.
My beautiful custom black mobility aid was once a terrifying sign of deterioration in my mind; however, it has since become a great source of independence and freedom. I’m now able to go to my appointments in specialized taxis on my own. I can’t begin to describe what it feels like to regain independence after it’s been lost. Note: There are aspects of this that are civil rights issues, and I’ll be talking about it as time goes on. Further, the wheelchair isn’t permanent; it’s a tool to help me regain my mobility.
In the mean time…
This day was a fledge into the wild of the world on my own with just my wheelchair. From that place of “joyful revolution”, I found camaraderie with the brilliant yellow smiles standing tall outside the hospital entrance.
…and a poem emerged.
This poem marks a new beginning in my journey of spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. It’s all connected and ultimately rooted in gratitude and LOVE.
I’ve spent the last 4 years in the quiet of contemplation deepening my inner wisdom and healing my body. That work continues as I’m finally discovering unifying diagnoses and getting the treatment necessary to make me well.
But there’s more…
Healing isn’t just an allopathic endeavor of Western pharmacology; it’s equally an Eastern cultivation of discernment as I learn to notice my life energy, the energy of others, the constant vibration in the world around, and how it all fits together.
As an empath, this will be lifelong learning marked by the courageous decision to say YES to God when I’m called upon to use my voice.
“I developed sepsis. It was a harrowing ordeal at times, especially when it wasn’t recognized due to the primary immune deficiency. “
There’s far too much to share about the things I’ve been through in the last few months leading to this deepened awareness. Thus, I’ve decided to jump in where I am - in the present moment - and allow the past/future to unfold in real time.
The one thing that I will say is this - I developed sepsis. It was a harrowing ordeal at times, especially when it wasn’t recognized due to the primary immune deficiency.
I’m deeply grateful for the clinicians who went further - they read my lengthy chart, synthesized complex information, and identified what was really wrong. More on that another time.
For now, it’s gratitude for those who may have saved my life.
Humbly,
Heather
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