June 30, 2009
My New Life – Part Three
On May 18th, I entered into the last part of this Blog – that was when I heard that there is no more therapy to be tried for the bone marrow cancer. Since then, I have come six weeks in reasonably good health, including the road trip, and I have no clue about how long I will live. I have entered the land of the “chronic” where I join those thousands of humans near and far who trundle through life in lesser containers.
Perfect days in sunlight and temperature are treasures, and today was one of those events. Our summer migrants who diligently work long hours ridding our near spaces of mosquitoes and other insects are here again with only the stipulation that their housing be right next to the front door to our second floor. Generally this is an amiable arrangement, though their babies do tend to become quite messy just before they leave the nest to seek their own fortunes. Alphie continues his quest for “things under the earth” and his hole repertory is increasing. When I go out to pick mulberries near a lightly traveled path on the west side of the property, I let him dig all he wants, and he is working on a deep trench. He swims in the pond before we return home, and his entire being radiates wet contentment with the whole adventure.
The contemplations about the meaning of life (I have always liked the “42” supplied by the book, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”) and God’s intentions continue. Where one’s soul goes after the final earthly breath is taken remains a mystery to me. I have greatly enjoyed talking to people about their thoughts on the matter, because heaven (or the afterlife) is a different place to everyone who responds. I asked the young Mennonite woman who comes to assist us in cleaning the house what her church teaches about heaven, and she responded, “Well, it’s going to be one huge banquet, with everyone at the table.” “Eating?” I asked, and she said, “Of course, eating and drinking and having a very good time.” “Who is going to clear away the dishes and where will the trash go?” was my next question. She thought for a bit and then gave me a wonderful, big smile and said, “I figure God can take care of that, since he takes care of everything else, doesn’t he?” I enjoy thinking about that exchange – when one lives by faith, it is fruitless to get tangled up in the details.