Father’s Day, 2020, will be more memorable than most. On the Saturday before I suffered a heart attack and spent Sunday being prepped for and receiving a stent.
The entire experience proved to be enlightening on many levels. During the course of three days, from onset to discharge from the hospital, I encountered a great many of my fellow Texans who have dedicated themselves to caring for folks in physical distress. I would like to express my gratitude and heartfelt (no pun intended) thanks to the teams of skilled professionals, the doctors, nurses, technicians and staff at Medella Urgent care, Magnolia, HCA/Houston, Tomball and HCA/Houston, Conroe. This large group of individuals, people from all corners of the earth, many races, creeds and colors, have somehow gravitated to this area of the USA and both collectively and individually are a tremendous asset to our nation. The strength of their diversity lies in their unity to a common purpose and goal, that of providing excellent care to those in need.
At times like these an absence of introspection must be nearly impossible. I have spent many decades on this big blue marble and in balance, most have been happy. I do realize that through the passage of time there have been negative interactions as well as positive. While taking full responsibility for any hurt that I have left in my wake, I understand that, as the Persian poet Omar Khayyam so aptly put it, “The moving finger writes and having writ, moves on. Nor all your piety and wit can lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all your tears wash out a word of it.” This said, I am truly sorry for any hurt or harm that I may have done to any of my fellow travelers on this earthly journey. Cold comfort but given the reality of time passing without any sort of reset button, it is the best I can offer.
If, on the other hand, we have shared some measure of fellowship, peace, joy and love, thank you for being there. We are the result and the sum total of the choices we make, good, bad or indifferent, and we cannot go back to make a change, to insert a different choice in order to bring the outcome nearer heart’s desire. We are stuck with what is done.
I do not know what the future will bring, tomorrow is not promised to any of us, but I do have a renewed understanding of how important it is to cherish those who care about us, to walk in kindness, and to be the best steward possible for those things that are our responsibility.
In summation, I have been blessed in this lifetime, blessed far beyond that which I have deserved and I pray that each of you reading this will have a similar assessment of life.
I also understand that my cardiac event, which might have ended tragically, was merely a dress rehearsal for the inevitable.
God bless you all.
rixlibris 
May you carry on with many more healthy, happy years ahead of you! Thank you for this post reminding us of the importance of gratitude and that we are the sum of the choices we make.
Thank you for your comments. I truly appreciate the kind words.
Beautifully written, neighbor friend. And we aren’t nearly done with you yet.
I looked up “neighbor” in the dictionary and there was your picture. It’s been a genuine pleasure living in proximity to you and yours.
I think you just took one hell of a punch with considerable grace. 🙂
And the thought came about Redd Foxx lying on the floor dying of a heart attack as the people around him watched and laughed, thinking he was doing his famous, “I’m coming, Margaret,” skit. As John Denver put it in song, “life ain’t nothing but a funny, funny riddle.” Hope you’re well and safe.
Very well put. As an insider to a window of your life, I understand and agree with this universal message. Thank you for suggesting this read. I appreciate what you had to say. I guess you’d say, “thank god I’m a country boy”.
Just saw this, Rick, and hope you are fully recovered. Am speaking with Beth Cummins and revisiting our years in day care photography – of which you were a huge part. Take care, stay healthy and safe.