Having the courage to saddle up
I finished Grace and Grit on the plane ride home, and landed on New Orleans ground with tears in my eyes. What an interesting book. It’s a love story, about religion, spirituality, about cancer, about life. I highly recommend it even if there are tedious moments where Ken Wilbur waxes pendantic.
When I got home, I called my mom who was supposed to have an appointment with her physical therapist, Scott. She had been canceling these appointments when I left for New York, and I kept on her to keep them because they are important. I asked her, “Did you see Scott today?”
“No,” she said, “I told him I wasn’t up to it today. I think he’s mad at me now.”
No, it’s not mad, mother, it’s fucking frustration at watching someone just say no to life. John Wayne said, “Courage is being scared to death – but saddling up anyway.” After reading about Treya’s courage to face stage four cancer with such bravery, it was hard to listen to my mother not want to get out of bed for thirty minutes to move her body.
What do I need most in my life – patience.
What does my mother need – courage.