You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. – Bob Marley, Jamaican singer of reggae music (1945-1981)
You must be at one with your emotions, because the body always follows the mind. – Bruce Lee-Hong Kong, American martial artist (1940-1973)
Last week was pretty traumatic for most everyone I know. I spent more hours indoors than my usual outdoor time filling bird feeders, checking on Wilhelmina, watering and planting flowers, misting my pet tree frogs and Thomas the toad, while washing the laundry, and planning dinner. Even Sam noticed: “I’ve never seen you spend so much time in front of the television.”
“You’re right,” I answered, “This is history; this is America.” Watching the live footage awakened other scenes stored in my memory bank. I remember well – as most people do – the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. I was 8 years old walking home from my elementary school around the corner from my house. Some older kids were “hooraying”
Over the next 18 years, life was kind and moved along easily as it often does when you’re still in your twenties. In 1981 I was living in Montreal, Canada. Half-a-block away was the corner market. There were no Dollar Generals or K Marts or Walmart’s or anything like that. The market sold foodstuff, bottled drinks, cigarettes, beer and bus tickets. I walked in to get a bus ticket and stopped. A small TV hung from the ceiling corner. The news reported Ronald Reagan had been shot. It wasn’t supposed to be like that in America. The CBC news in Canada reports, “No Canadian prime minister has ever been assassinated and the episodes of political violence are relatively rare in Canada…though Canada hasn’t escaped political violence entirely.”
Life is not moving along as easily as it once did; it’s just the price of living longer, and that part is a good thing. I’m not the least bit depressed from the news or the sicknesses my friends are facing. I am emotionally overwhelmed at the moment as I told a friend who asked me to join her prayer group of 18. I admit that, overwhelmed is not depressed. I’m processing.
Several of my friends are going through chemotherapy, and one has just finished. I’ve had the privilege to be the “one person” allowed to attend to one of those friends at the cancer center. It’s been quite an experience, and I’m grateful. The patients seem to be okay with being there. The nurses and attendants are kind and upbeat. Patients get snacks, read, rest or watch TV. They have control of the remote, and that means a lot when there are so many things they don’t have control of.
Particularly since 2020 and through the season of COVID we have proven ourselves a resilient people. My mother would quote from German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche in 1888: “Out of life’s school or war-what doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.”
Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
