14 days in

lets go, there's more to be had.

14 days in. 

Half a month done. Almost (if you exclude the 2-3 days, this is not February) 

2 weeks. 

A fortnight. Biweekly if you're American. 

It wasn't too long ago I could remember walking. 

Now my days are filled with staring out the window with the same view every day. 

I'm yet to get bored. 

There’s something new and slightly different with each day. 

In the weather, the angles of light and reflections of people walking on the street below. 

I've counted the tiles, the windows and the number of branches on trees. 

The sirens of ambulances going to the neighbouring hospitals emergency departments.

I've watched pigeons fly at the window as if they're about to hit fly in kamikaze style. 

Assassins from above. . .

But they swoop upwards at the last minute to their home nested above me on the ledge.

Shades of grey, silver and green feathers glisten on their wings as if they are waving to me.  

I notice two different rooms in the neighbouring hospital watching the same station on TV.

Lighting up their rooms in sync. 

My nurses entertain me with delightful visits multiple times throughout the day. 

We ask different questions as we get to know each other better.  

My visitors, my parents, my friends, my partner.

They provide me with love and a different and familiar connection.

I don't miss walking.

The last two years I've walked our Earth thousands of kilometres.

Multiple pairs of shoes are worn out and a few Garmin watches needing to be returned under warranty.

I arrived feeling grateful for what I had done.

I've flown afar and I have done as Target’s corny artwork insists we do; live, laugh, love. . Maybe they are onto something. 

14 days in. 

My will to live. It's felt on my sternum 

My heart beating for more. 

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Note from Dug:

I wrote this after hearing about a book called the Art of Noticing. It looks like a great book to give you a creative nudge or even to be more present.

The author, Rob Walker, also writes on this platform.

I read his piece on going for a ‘color walk’.

Collecting Color

It made me realise how grateful I am for all I am noticing in the differences of each day I spend here in palliative care, unable to move and somehow not yet bored.

Check it out, have a read and maybe even go for your own colour walk and write a few notes down in your phone about what you see.

Anyway, till next time.

Dugald xoxo