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Busyness of the Muchness
Feb. 19th, 2009 12:17 pmWhere did all those notes on my calendar come from? I couldn't possibly be doing all that... could I? In between ordinary life-stuff, Hebrew and Judaism classes, work for the Quaker meeting... oh yes, a little writing and editing now and again, there's getting into cars and airplanes stuff.
I didn't intend to do so much traveling, but I guess I'm not in charge. I did volunteer for ConDor (the first convention Dave and I have gone to together in some years). ConDor highlights: a panel on Lace and Blade 2 with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sartorias and tcastleb and many other cool panels. Hope to connect with lingster1, janni, la_marquise_de_ and other wonderful folk. And do a little Regency dancing.
Also did sign up for the Nebula Awards weekend. It's not often on the West Coast and hence not across numerous time zones (bronchitis territory), also very cool, also an opportunity to visitmanawolf and otana. That's play time as well.
In between, and only just-planned, I'll be going up to Portland to help take care of my dearest college friend as she goes through chemo for ovarian cancer. I see this as much taking care of her family with respite care, house cleaning, caring for their animals, running errands, as sitting with her, rubbing her back, cooking incredibly high-calorie food to tempt her appetite, reading her to sleep, all that TLC. I expect there will be emotionally intense moments, which although uncomfortable are necessary and nourishing to the spirit.
I have some experience doing this, as I took care of my first mother-in-law during radiation treatments in the last year of her life. That involved major household and medical care organization, done solo, and this will be easier logistically. I expect there to be challenges balancing being of service, sitting tenderly with intense situations and feelings, and attending to my own needs for rest, for quiet, for sorting-through. This time, I'll be only one of a strong support family/network and I won't be making any decisions beyond whether I muck out the stable or scrub the toilets first.
I love what Thich Nhat Hahn says about how mindfulness and gratitude can transform even the most mundane chores into joy. Which is, I suppose, why mitzvah doesn't translate exactly into "commandment" in the oppressive have-to sense. It's a gift, love and faithfulness in action.
I didn't intend to do so much traveling, but I guess I'm not in charge. I did volunteer for ConDor (the first convention Dave and I have gone to together in some years). ConDor highlights: a panel on Lace and Blade 2 with
sartorias and tcastleb and many other cool panels. Hope to connect with lingster1, janni, la_marquise_de_ and other wonderful folk. And do a little Regency dancing.Also did sign up for the Nebula Awards weekend. It's not often on the West Coast and hence not across numerous time zones (bronchitis territory), also very cool, also an opportunity to visit
manawolf and otana. That's play time as well.In between, and only just-planned, I'll be going up to Portland to help take care of my dearest college friend as she goes through chemo for ovarian cancer. I see this as much taking care of her family with respite care, house cleaning, caring for their animals, running errands, as sitting with her, rubbing her back, cooking incredibly high-calorie food to tempt her appetite, reading her to sleep, all that TLC. I expect there will be emotionally intense moments, which although uncomfortable are necessary and nourishing to the spirit.
I have some experience doing this, as I took care of my first mother-in-law during radiation treatments in the last year of her life. That involved major household and medical care organization, done solo, and this will be easier logistically. I expect there to be challenges balancing being of service, sitting tenderly with intense situations and feelings, and attending to my own needs for rest, for quiet, for sorting-through. This time, I'll be only one of a strong support family/network and I won't be making any decisions beyond whether I muck out the stable or scrub the toilets first.
I love what Thich Nhat Hahn says about how mindfulness and gratitude can transform even the most mundane chores into joy. Which is, I suppose, why mitzvah doesn't translate exactly into "commandment" in the oppressive have-to sense. It's a gift, love and faithfulness in action.
