July 2009

rose, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses”

I loved this article about people who constantly complain while traveling. It reminded me of a recent train trip where we ended up being stranded on the tracks for an hour without power (read: no cafe service or A/C) while our crew helped another train that was having technical difficulties. In the end we ‘donated’ one of our engines to the other train, which then resulted in a further 30 min delay at Union Station while a replacement engine was coupled to our train.

Most of the passengers spent the delay time complaining loudly into their cellphones and calling Amtrak to demand a refund for their ticket price. I wasn’t terribly pleased to be delayed, but I found it far less unpleasant than say, being gridlocked in LA traffic during the summer heat. I had plenty of reading material on hand and spent some time peeking over the seat at an adorable baby and her mother. Of course I’ve had my fair share of travel frustrations over the years. When the weariness hits, it’s so difficult to continue to be nice. I get that.

But I have to say, that travel continues to amaze me. That I can fly, train, sail, or drive to so many amazing regions of the world. That I get to try new-to-me foods. That I get to people watch. That I get to smell and listen to and immerse myself in new places. It’s really one of my very favorite pastimes. And I think (though feel free to correct me)…you’ll hardly ever hear me complaining.

my leg, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

I keep trying to think of a way to express how I feel right now, and no matter what I say it just sounds a bit over-the-top sentimental…

This time last year I was lying in a hospital bed, unable to even stand on my left leg. I was getting megadoses of any antibiotic that I could tolerate. My arms were riddled with IV holes & were raw and swollen from the endless effort to find good veins. I was feverish & exhausted. Vicodin was my constant companion. My friends were caring for my children as I was in the midst of a battle between several medical teams. I knew surgery was looming, the only question was exactly where and when. John was absolutely spent from the emotional and physical burdens placed on his shoulders.

And then this year….while John and the kiddos were at ComiCon, I raced in the State Champs Sprints with my outrigger canoe team and graduated from a ‘novice’ paddler to a full-fledged member of the team. I thought nothing of strolling all around Old Town Santa Barbara with friends, my left leg now strong and sure, only a deep pink seam and an indentation along the muscle on the inside of my calf as evidence of last year’s trauma.

Perhaps ironically, I am sick right now–fighting a nasty cough that’s left over from a bout with the flu last week. But it seems hardly anything to me in the larger scheme of things…

Life has such a fascinating and sometimes awful way of keeping me on my toes (literally and figuratively!). As I went swimming with my family this morning and dove down deep into the blue water, moving strongly & surely with each stroke, I couldn’t help but be grateful for experiencing the contrast between health and sickness. Knowing both makes me appreciate just how precious and beautiful every moment is–getting me through the dark days and helping me to recognize the light for just how very precious it is.

A favorite quotation of mine is “Quocunque Jeceris Stabit”* (you’ll occasionally see this phrase rotate through the various taglines that appear under my blogtitle). It’s the motto of the Isle of Man, the small UK nation of my maternal ancestors. Translated from the Manx it means “Whichever Way You Throw Me, I Shall Stand.” I think of that phrase often on my life’s journey. I’ve been thrown and pummeled. I’ve lost some pretty significant chunks of my self along the way. But I also like knowing that–even if takes awhile–I will eventually overcome and emerge even stronger than before.

And thank you, friends, for all of your support and encouragement along this journey. There have been moments when I was carried by the love & goodwill from each of you. You are wonderful. :)

*UPDATE: As several of my language-savvy readers have pointed out, the phrase is Latin rather than Manx (I’m sure even my Latin-speaking son could’ve told me this!!). Here’s some background on the phrase from wikipedia:

For centuries, the island’s symbol has been its ancient triskelion, a device similar to Sicily’s Trinacria: three bent legs, each with a spur, joined at the thigh…

The three legs refer to the island’s motto (adopted late in the symbol’s history): Quocunque Jeceris Stabit, traditionally translated from Latin as ‘Whithersoever you throw it, it will stand’, or ‘Whichever way you throw it, it will stand’.

The origin of the ‘Three Legs of Man’ (as they are usually called) is explained in the Manx legend that Manannan repelled an invasion by transforming into the three legs and rolling down the hill and defeating the invaders.

grandma’s flowers, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

The past few weeks have been busy with many small projects, with mini-goals, and minor accomplishments. I haven’t found much time for blogging or photo-taking because I’ve been busy with gardening & research & ramping up my exercise routine in preparation for outrigger races that will be four or five times as long as previous ones.

However, I thought I’d create a list of random links to some fascinating items that have crossed my computer screen recently. And, for those of you who haven’t yet adopted twitter, you can drop by to see my “tweets” for a better idea of my daily happenings.

–Two pieces of fascinating art & history from the NY Times: on dinosaurs and Monticello (perhaps you can see why Jefferson remains my fav founding father, to this day).

–At times, when I’ve expressed frustration about the daily pains that come from being an amputee, I’ve been reminded by the religiously-inclined that such pain will bring me closer to Jesus. Let me just day that that’s not a line of thinking that works very well for me. Here’s a Freakonomics article that explores the ‘necessity’ of pain.

–Tired of boring conferences & conventions (for me, no matter how scintillating the conference, I get a headache after about 3 hours of sitting in a hotel ballroom. Ugh.)? So you might want to think about a THATCamp model instead.

–I haven’t read Sleeping Naked Is Green yet, but I am totally thinking that this summer I will take the “green” approach and slumber au naturel to avoid the undue cost of washing pjs and cooling my bedroom. What about you?

–And speaking of nudity, I’m up for an award for a photo of my belly button. It’s completely silly, but if you’re in the mood to cast a vote for my navel, go for it (scroll down to item #17).

–To close on a more serious note, anyone who loves the poetry of Mary Oliver (and who doesn’t?) this writing about the lands that inspire her, is simply a must-read. Thanks, Vajra, for sending the link my way!