Twenty years ago when a friend was suddenly killed in a car accident, a colleague of my then-employer said quite simply…life hangs by a thread. At that exact moment I was both stunned and comforted by that simple sentence. And fortunately or not I have not thought of it much since then. I have lost other friends, all to cancer where the thread is long while unraveling.
Until this week…I was reminded that life hangs by a thread when my husband was re-admitted to the hospital hemorrhaging from the medication given to him last week to manage the emboli. I was reminded when instead of being the regular blood donor he was the recipient of four pints. I was reminded when the ER doc said I better call my daughter. I was reminded when he was moved to the trauma unit. I was reminded when he was moved to ICU and I have been reminded every long hour of these 3 days .
Synchronistically I had mailed postcards of the exhibits where my work is to be seen this summer/fall. So many wondered how I found time. A recuperating husband (pre-hemorrhage) is a great label sticker. It was all about timing.
So I was surprised more than anything when the egos of artists began to surface as a result of my mailing. Here I am in the life hangs by a thread moment and am being bombarded with ‘poor me’ messages from art peers. If ever there was such a clear delineation between yin and yang, ego and spirit I don’t know what it is.
He just called and he is being released this morning. As I hit the freeway one more time I hope to integrate into my daily gratitude the wisdom of life hangs by a thread . As I sit currently with a foot in both worlds I get it.
My art is my passion and gives my life meaning. The ego of art is a waste of our precious time and valuable energy.
Carol, In the age of high tech we are all so removed from each other that it is easy to forget the universe does not revolve around us. Thank you for the reality check. Sending you a virtual hug. Hope you have many more years of great memories with your husband.
So happy to hear he is back home. You have both been in my thoughts and prayers.
Carol, thank you for sharing. Life does hang by a thread, how easily we do forget.
I am glad to hear that he was coming home. When my husband was diagnosed with cancer, I had that same feeling about life. I am extremely thankful that he was treated successfully, but now know how I would feel if I were to lose him. Those kind of words from a doctor, and your life changes.
I hope your husband takes good care of himself from now on, for both of you.