Two Bottles of Beer

Pockets of warm and cold air blew into my face as I ran past the half frozen pond just a half mile from my house. It was a highly unusual January day as evidenced by both Tee Times and Ski passes being issued at one of our local resorts; certainly a day I could not pass up for running.

The plan was for a three and a half mile loop, my feet felt good and I left hopeful that I'd cover the distance before my feet caught fire. I made it two and a half but even so it was a sort of victory, my feet, burning hot recovered quickly and were not nearly as bad as my New Years Day run. Today the weather is once again unusually warm so I will try again.

The wind blowing in my face brought forefront the memory of the morning Reiki session. Perhaps ten minutes into the session the background music sounded reminiscent of a small mountain bird that I have heard thousands of times every season of the year in the Adirondacks. Soon, I was transported there, sitting on the summit of Mt Joe gazing down at Heart Lake and beyond to the high peaks. I was alone, watching the clouds roll up and over Wright Peak, fixated upon the simplicity and beauty of it all. It seemed as though minutes had passed when I was joined by Kevin and Patrick, a memory from the first time we had climbed Mt Joe.  Soon they disappeared leaving me along again gazing out at the scene before me. It was quite a moment but what happened next simply left me hardly able to contain myself , I was no longer alone, standing next to me was my father, in his prime, a memory of him from when I was a kid. We did not exchange any words, simply looked out over the mountains and then as quick as it started it was over. Fifteen or so minutes later, my session over, I cried and cried again later when I told Sue what I had experienced. By letting “myself let go” and with the help of Dee and Lorett I was given a gift that even now chokes me up as I write about it.

I would be lying to say that I'm not nervous about what is to come on Monday but at the same time I'm ready to get on with my life. Recovery may take some time but if nothing else I have learned patience to a degree I have never known before.

Ninety eight bottles of beer on the wall ago it seemed forever, chemotherapy seemed forever, six months of wearing a bag seemed forever but in the context of an entire life it has passed quickly. 

Two bottles of beer on the wall left and I probably will drink both of them this evening when we are having a family camp fire.

I am Thankful for so much, I love the life I've had and what I will have.

Mike