Can't even BEGIN to believe how blessed I am!
Spent the day yesterday wrapping Christmas presents, baking cookies with Carolyn, writing-out a few Christmas cards, and playing with HOBBES!
When I finished being a “food network star,” I noticed that the Sun was still shining brightly, and the sky was clear and calm. So, I decided to take a late afternoon stroll through the woodland section of our property.
GOOSHING THROUGH THE MUCK…
After slogging through the wetlands, I decided to take a few moments to pause and enjoy the quiet beauty of the trees and land. I sat down upon the fallen trunk of a huge maple tree which fell many years ago near the far edge of our property. Gradually, the Peace of Nature swept over my Heart and Spirit, and my thoughts were transported across the days and years.
The first wave of memories which encompassed me as I sat, centered upon one question: How in the world did I EVER “end up” here? Over the Past, I have often pondered this question. Having pursued pre-med degrees in Virginia and Ohio, both bachelor and graduate degrees in Pittsburgh, and Trenton, I eventually travelled to New Jersey, where I was commissioned as a Director of Dramatics. I lived for a time near the Jersey Shore, then in the heart of New York. In 1975, I moved back to western PA to further pursue graduate studies at Pitt, Duquesne, and Carnegie Mellon. I served the Pittsburgh School District for many years as a teacher, administrator, program chairperson, and grant writer. Then, in the summer of 1991…everything changed!
FELIX CULPA (FORTUNATE FALL)…
On a trip back to Pittsburgh from our future home in Espyville, I suffered a severe automobile accident, which took me out of commission for nearly a year. Carolyn was informed by my medical team to take me on “rides”…perhaps “something” would trigger my memory, etc.
In August of 1992, we traveled to Sandusky, Ohio. The objective was to visit the islands which we had so loved. We didn’t “make it” to the islands. In the downtown section of Sandusky, she saw a sign pointing to a classic building with a dome-shaped roof. The sign indicated” “Merry-Go-Round Museum.” Knowing how I so loved the older amusement parks (Conneaut Lake Park and West View Park), it was decided that we should visit the museum. We entered.
Inside that museum is housed a full-sized Carousel, surrounded by traditional park benches. We sat down. Then, after about 20 minutes, I turned to her and spoke the following: “THIS IS WHAT I AM SUPPOSED TO DO WITH MY SECOND CHANCE.” The curtains surrounding my Life parted…and waves of a new Life flowed into me. Immediately I knew EVERYTHING concerning the carving of Carousel animals: what wood and tools to use, how to lay-up the wooden planks, and how to transform those blocks into the horses and animals inhabiting the traditional Carousel.
I was, in fact, given, no, BLESSED, with a totally new Life…a TRUE second chance.
EVERYTHING CHANGES…
I toured carving in public for the next 25 years, keeping alive the tradition of Carousel carving.
Then, in 2006, another change entered upon the horizon. I was approached to develop a program for the incorporation of Creativity into the treatment process of cancer. I did!
In 2011, my responsibilities were altered once again, and I became the Art Director of our regional hospital. Once more, an incredible Blessing!
FLASHBACK…
Through the past 6 months...I NEVER thought I would be here to experience all the incredible events which I did yesterday.
AS I sat on the trunk of the tree late in the afternoon, all of the doubt, and of the emotionality of my recent health issues began to dissolve. Likewise, the full understanding of how I arrived HERE took root in my Heart.
AND, NOW…
This is where I am supposed to be now. All the educational experiences, all of the professional callings, all of the living places were intended to lead me here…back, once again, to our home in Espyville. Espyville, where the Past still maintains a tremendous significance in my Life. Espyville, where the people, businesses, and environment represent the true nature of our American Heritage.
Once again, I have been given another Life…a THIRD REBIRTH. What a change of perspective on LIFE!!!! How incredibly fortunate! According to all my physicians and medical teams assigned to me, there is NO reason why I should still be alive! They simply describe my current existence as a MIRACLE.
HMMM….maybe the REAL Miracle lies within the Place, the Season, the People and Places of the region we call “Home,” and the next step of the Journey.
All I know is that those Christmas cookies will be incredibly appreciated and enjoyed. AND…that the wrapping of those presents yesterday is an incredible gift…NOT to the person receiving them on Christmas, but to the person who actually purchased and wrapped them. That would be ME!
As I rose from my resting place on that tree trunk in the woods and slogged back to the house, I understood the true meaning of the Season…and of why I am now HERE!
So, what’s the message here? YOU figure it out! When you do, wrap it up…and give it to another.