Heart. Gratitude.

Previous, on topic: “Aging Infrastructure”, here.  Summation post at this space on or about Dec. 28, 2018, “Infrastructure”.  

I write in person from my usual home office space in Woodbury.

Yesterday afternoon Cathy and my daughter Lauri brought me home from the Rehab hospital of the Fairview Hospital system. It was the 17th day after the open heart surgery on December 4.

There is time to go into the details, likely to be shared later at Caring Bridge.

My travel the last two weeks included a “small” stroke, which at minimum does seriously impede typing speed and accuracy with my left hand. It is a big change after over 60 years of typing, hopefully remediable in coming weeks and months.

Great friend Peg has set up a Caring Bridge site for me. It is greatly appreciated. I never in my life expected that I would join grandson Ben Menier at Caring Bridge My initial heart diagnosis came on the exact same day as Ben’s car accident: the afternoon of May 25, 2018. Here we are, Bennie and I, a couple of miles and 65 years apart, each of us re-learning aspects of life we had come to take for granted.

I keep thinking of a marvelous Ted Talk by filmmaker Louis Schwartzberg which I first shared at this space seven years ago. As Christmas approaches, however you and others observe the day/season of Christmas. I’d like to recommend this quietly and deeply inspiring reflection on grounding ourselves. You can access the 10-minute video here.

I am grateful, this day, the day which would be my Dad’s 111th birthday (he died Nov. 7, 1997).

There is so much to be thankful for; so many individuals and groups, especially the community of Fairview .

Have a great holiday and New Year, and great thanks to everyone, in diverse ways has conveyed best wishes.

 

36 replies
  1. John Bernard
    John Bernard says:

    Very grateful that you’re back home – looking forward to seeing a resumption of your words of wisdom and reflection

    Reply
  2. Anita Lavoie
    Anita Lavoie says:

    Very glad that you are back home. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and the very best for 2019. Still keeping you and Bennie in my prayers. Take care. Look forward to reading more of your blogs. Anita

    Reply
  3. Judy Maghakian
    Judy Maghakian says:

    Dick, thank you for your constant insight into what is important. I am sorry you never met my beloved husband,
    Harry Maghakian. He was a spiritual giant, lived until he was 94, died in May of this year. Nonetheless, I am aware
    of the internal, eternal greatness of his spirit, you share the same. Godspeed and may your healing continue as
    you work at it, I know you will. Have a blessed Christmas with your family. Judy Maghakian-ARK Director
    Look up ARK website: arkforpeace.org You will appreciate it.

    Reply
  4. Jane Peck
    Jane Peck says:

    Mike and I wish you and Cathy a holiday full of family and peace. It sounds like you are on the mend, but I’m so sorry you had to go through the stroke. -Jane Peck

    Reply
  5. Bill Haring
    Bill Haring says:

    Prayers and best wishes for a steady and thorough recovery, Dick. Happy to hear you’re home and making daily progress. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! 🌲

    Reply
  6. Louisa Hext
    Louisa Hext says:

    I’m relieved to read you are still the Dick I’m getting to know and who is still with us. Please let me know if I can come and visit?

    Love,

    Louisa

    Reply
  7. Leila Whitinger
    Leila Whitinger says:

    I am glad to know that you are back at home and at your keyboard once again. Here’s hoping that you and your family thoroughly enjoy your Christmas together with a renewed appreciation. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  8. Marie E Trepanier
    Marie E Trepanier says:

    Dick, I am so glad to hear from you! I sent a card which is in the mail! This is exactly what I was hoping for your rehab prigress!
    Godspeed and Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  9. Kathy Valdez
    Kathy Valdez says:

    Been thinking of you today and hoping we’d hear of your recovery before Christmas and thanks be to God…you are home! Continued prayers dear heart~

    Reply
  10. Joe Ward
    Joe Ward says:

    Dick,

    Very glad you are home!

    Thanks for all you do for all our shared community. Your thoughtfulness and wisdom thru your hard times are a model for all of us.

    Wish you a very happy and restful Christmas. Look forward to a coffee some morning soon.

    Joe Ward

    Reply
  11. Corky Marinkovich
    Corky Marinkovich says:

    Great news for you Dick. Wish you a healthy recovery from your medical needs. Tis the season to be most grateful for family & friends who care about you. We are in Prague for another week visiting family. Will be back in MN for the early January heat wave. Borgen can figure out a way to find you for a visit.

    Reply
    • Julianne Johnston
      Julianne Johnston says:

      Dick, I am so glad to hear from you as you recover from surgery and unfortunately a “small stroke.” Have been waiting to hear the results of your surgery and hoping that all went well. You are so important to so many people who have benefited from your wisdom and insight. May God sustain you as you progress in your recovery and keep us all informed as we keep you in our hearts.

      Reply
  12. Bob Marcotte
    Bob Marcotte says:

    Hi Dick
    Sorry to hear about you health problems. It shouldn’t happen to the good guys.I hope things get better for you.
    I’m still kicking, actually just about to leave for another Habitat for Humanity volunteer build down by New Orleans.
    Keep up with the good fight, your friends are pulling for you. You may have already received from Kathy Garvey, been working on getting this to you for a couple of days.

    Reply
  13. Maryam Yusefzadeh
    Maryam Yusefzadeh says:

    Dick, so glad to read your writing again. Iam glad to hear you are home and healing. With all the love and care sourounding you, you will be all healed up soon.
    Look forward to seeing you in the new year. Mary Christmas

    Reply
  14. Debbie Long
    Debbie Long says:

    Dick, it was so nice to see you yesterday, good color, looking good! Most importantly, use that heart pillow, follow doctors orders and get some good rest! Wishing you a happy holiday season and the Best of the New Year! It’s been a difficult year for many of us with diagnosis of curable and unknown diseases. I think we can all agree to a more promising and healthy New Year to arrive! Love & Hugs, Deb, Steve, Ashely

    Reply
  15. Cindy Elling Sheffield
    Cindy Elling Sheffield says:

    Thank you Dick for pushing through life’s latest challenge you have and are sharing with us- your caring community.
    You are our special giver of inspiration and insight into what matters to us all.. Happy holidays & welcome back!! Love Cindy

    Reply
  16. Arthur Kanegis
    Arthur Kanegis says:

    Dick you are a light to the World! I so appreciated all you do for saving our planet and for your care and love of others. Wishing you a speedy recovery and sending healing energy for that hand to keep on being so handy!
    Write on!

    Warmly,
    Arthur Kanegis

    Reply
  17. Florence Hedeen
    Florence Hedeen says:

    Big Brother, you and Cathy are on my mind every day! I do believe that the roughest times of your heart care are over, but how you manage recovery, now at home, will be incredibly important to your future well-being. Keeping moving is a big part of it! No doubt, however, as you do short sessions on the computer, you’ll also recover more of your left hand dexterity! I’m so grateful to your family who have been close at hand to provide support as needed. Hope to see you again, soon. My the holidays keep your spirits high!

    Reply
  18. Gene Frazer
    Gene Frazer says:

    Great news to hear you’re back home, Dick!

    All’s right with the world when you’re writing again, providing us with your thoughtful, even-handed commentary. Good luck with your rehab and recovery, and I hope you’re up and around again soon!

    Enjoy the holidays!

    Gene Frazer

    Reply
  19. Gail Hughes
    Gail Hughes says:

    SOOO glad to hear from your own voice, Dick! Sounds like the worst is over, and you’ll be able to join us again soon (I hope)! Have a good Christmas and New Year!

    Gail

    Reply
  20. Sandra J Curry
    Sandra J Curry says:

    Great news to hear you are home and healing well! It is always difficult to have such major surgery however with all the new medical care and advances I am hopeful that you will have a great and full recovery! Rick and i wish you the best Dick and Cathy too! Hope you can rest up and have some great time with family over the holidays. Did you have one of those Pig valves put in? My daughter in laws mom just had open heart surgery and had that pig valve put in and she is doing well. Love and best wishes to you in your full recovery. Sandy and Rick Curry

    Reply
  21. Karen West
    Karen West says:

    Dear Dick, So glad you are back home & st your keyboard. Cathy probably told you about Carole having a stroke after a heart attack 2 in fact, when they put in a stent. She went from wheelchair to walker to cane & sometimes no cane. I have faith your typing skills will improve & already you are back at itin great form. So good to hear from you. Karen

    Reply
  22. Alberder Gillespie
    Alberder Gillespie says:

    Dick, so grateful you’re doing well. I will continue too pray for a full and speedy recovery. Blessings and love to you, Cathy and the entire family. Merry Christmas

    Reply
  23. Frank
    Frank says:

    No place like home for the holidays. Getting well and staying well is hard work when stuff doesn’t go right, but you’re on your way to complete recovery. Best to you and Cathy always.

    Reply
  24. Sandra J Curry
    Sandra J Curry says:

    Happy New Year almost Dick and glad you are home and continuing healing and rehab. You are such a strong and inspirational man and I believe if our dad was alive today he would say to “envision your full recovery in 3 dimensional living color and see yourself as completely healthy and recovered. ” We are thinking positive thoughts about you and wishing you a healthy full recovery Dick! Love from Sandy and Rick Curry

    Reply
  25. Stephanie Wolkin
    Stephanie Wolkin says:

    Dick, this is wonderful news…take the time you need to heal and know that you are in good hands! Happy New Year to you and Cathy!

    Reply

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