A COVID STORY: PART I
What I wish to share here may take a few posts to pull off; but I’ve been excited to share it. And now is the time, it appears. So let’s begin with a short story. And I’ll do my best to connect all the dots as we go.
THE STORY
Just one short week before our wedding on 2/22, Lara + I were knocked sideways by serious cases of Covid. Since this was my very first bout with the virus, it hit me especially hard. The week that ensued was admittedly painful, but deeply rewarding as well.
Both Lara + I understand that what happens in life happens for us, so we chose to recognize this as a gift. Our ‘job’ was to unwrap the gift.
Still, the timing was hard to ignore. As days passed + conditions worsened, the worry was mounting as well.
CONTINUED…
Rewinding to 2019, we were all there when Covid first hit. I remember deciding as soon as the news cycles started that I’d never mention the virus by name. I knew then (as I still know now) that the words we employ harness power: the creative power of life.
I decided that, even if every last person on earth became ill with the virus, it would not affect me if I never spoke it by name. So I stuck to that, and succeeded! Avoiding the name, I avoided the virus as well. And this worked! For over 5 years.
CONTINUED…
So totally bedridden, I had to wonder: where had my ‘smart plan’ broken down? Had I been mistaken somehow? And why was this happening now: just short days away from the single most special event of my life?
I discussed this with Lara. And answers came through, loud + clear. The fact was that Life had a plan that was better than my plan. By far.
It was time to empower my view.
CONTINUED…
The first hint revealed itself swiftly: a searing discomfort that concentrated in my throat. The pain escalated + refused to budge for three days. This was pain more continuous - and more acute - than I’ve ever encountered before.
If it wasn’t for my wife’s ingenious support, I might never have noticed the obviousness of the sign. It was telling me right where to look! (Thank you, dear Lara, for helping your man to see that.)
The virus was being explicit. It was calling my attention to the throat.