Excellent post - and great you're on the road to recovery. In the midst of my own health issues, someone said to me the other day that it's good to be reminded we're human... Maybe to remember that invests a greater sense of urgency and purpose in what we do.
This earnest piece is so beautiful it made me tear up, teary eyed in a good way. So many of your poignant sentences pulled like a gentle thread at my heartstrings. I could feel in my bones your sense of melancholia, gratitude and humility, mixed with feelings of wonder, reverence, and awe for being alive. My friend lost his appendix a few years ago; I’ve heard it’s intensely painful and the looming possibility of not making it shook him to his core. I’m sorry that you’re dealing with illness. This summer I’ve been at hospitals a lot (long story.) The way you write about doctors being heroes: yes! I have so much admiration and respect for doctors who can save our lives; I find myself stumbling for words whenever I try to express a simple inadequate ‘thank you’ to doctors who have helped me over the years. Especially on the days when my outlook gets gloomy, to see your art and writing lifts up my spirits and perspective. In my eyes your work makes a huge difference and it helps make the world to be a better, funnier, and more alive place. As you wrote, we’re “alive, that’s all that counts.” Thank you for sharing this sliver of beauty and heart with readers.
Jessica, I'm really moved by your comment. I'm glad it reached you in such a way, and I'm sorry to hear about your health issues. I hope it all goes well 🙏
"Don’t write for critics, people. Don’t write for success. Write for the heroes." I love this, Remy. It's what I aim to do at StoryShed, to varying degrees of courage. Your reminder is valuable.
Oh dear, I am glad I have not yet been in your situation (and glad you are recovering).
I know the feeling of "would have died a couple of hundred years ago" since I was born with super bad vision - like all blurry. And I always felt super vulnerable thinking of losing my glasses. That changed completely when I got eye surgery (artificial lenses, so cool, kind of super powers 🤣).
Anyways, your post hit quite home for me. My brother works as a firefighter and emergency cart driver and I get this feeling of "envy" that you describe quite often. Your little perspective shift here is super valuable! Thanks and get well soon!
I, too, have been on that bed, in recovery, and wanting to return home. For me, it was not easy to face the possibility of an end to this life. The odd thing is that each of us will be truly at the end one day. It makes me realize how precious life is and how fortunate we are to have lived on this beautiful planet Earth. Thank you for writing so honestly about your experience. I wish you good health and long life.
A beautiful post, Remy and beautifully written -- raw, real and deep. I also know the experience of being brought right up to the edges of mortality. The ordeal seems less important to me now than the result, which was to realize that life is much more fragile than I thought . . . so I let it feed me. "Seize day" took on new importance and was reflected in my writing. To me, you are one of the heroes of whom you speak. Write on . . . and biggest of hugs.
So glad to hear you are going to be alright! And equally relieved that you are not in the US where such a procedure would easily bankrupt an artist! Doctors are still massively fatigued from the pandemic--the more we can show them our gratitude--the better. Hope you are home soon!
It's mystifying to me how the US and its behemothic economy doesn't offer its citizen free health care. I can't wrap my mind around it. I hope you're well Alisa x
I have come to see the benefit of doctors. I am a naturalist and try to use only natural healing practices but have come to know that we must all work together and doctors provide a valuable contribution to keeping us alive. I read this statement once of St. Teresa (I think) "Everything is nothing and nothing is everything" Thank you for sharing and glad you are better.
"It’s hard to face up to people who are most definitely making a real difference on a daily basis without feeling a sliver of envy." Love that. Yay for heroic doctors!
Sounds like you've had a scary time of it. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Excellent post - and great you're on the road to recovery. In the midst of my own health issues, someone said to me the other day that it's good to be reminded we're human... Maybe to remember that invests a greater sense of urgency and purpose in what we do.
Thanks for your comment Ian, and I really hope you get only good news 🙏
This earnest piece is so beautiful it made me tear up, teary eyed in a good way. So many of your poignant sentences pulled like a gentle thread at my heartstrings. I could feel in my bones your sense of melancholia, gratitude and humility, mixed with feelings of wonder, reverence, and awe for being alive. My friend lost his appendix a few years ago; I’ve heard it’s intensely painful and the looming possibility of not making it shook him to his core. I’m sorry that you’re dealing with illness. This summer I’ve been at hospitals a lot (long story.) The way you write about doctors being heroes: yes! I have so much admiration and respect for doctors who can save our lives; I find myself stumbling for words whenever I try to express a simple inadequate ‘thank you’ to doctors who have helped me over the years. Especially on the days when my outlook gets gloomy, to see your art and writing lifts up my spirits and perspective. In my eyes your work makes a huge difference and it helps make the world to be a better, funnier, and more alive place. As you wrote, we’re “alive, that’s all that counts.” Thank you for sharing this sliver of beauty and heart with readers.
Jessica, I'm really moved by your comment. I'm glad it reached you in such a way, and I'm sorry to hear about your health issues. I hope it all goes well 🙏
"Don’t write for critics, people. Don’t write for success. Write for the heroes." I love this, Remy. It's what I aim to do at StoryShed, to varying degrees of courage. Your reminder is valuable.
Thank you Michael, that's what I'm learning to do these days. For too long I've not written for heroes.
Oh dear, I am glad I have not yet been in your situation (and glad you are recovering).
I know the feeling of "would have died a couple of hundred years ago" since I was born with super bad vision - like all blurry. And I always felt super vulnerable thinking of losing my glasses. That changed completely when I got eye surgery (artificial lenses, so cool, kind of super powers 🤣).
Anyways, your post hit quite home for me. My brother works as a firefighter and emergency cart driver and I get this feeling of "envy" that you describe quite often. Your little perspective shift here is super valuable! Thanks and get well soon!
Thanks Fabienne!
Bonjour and take care, hero Remy. Thanks for your post. ~
Thanks Kasandra!
I, too, have been on that bed, in recovery, and wanting to return home. For me, it was not easy to face the possibility of an end to this life. The odd thing is that each of us will be truly at the end one day. It makes me realize how precious life is and how fortunate we are to have lived on this beautiful planet Earth. Thank you for writing so honestly about your experience. I wish you good health and long life.
Thank you Patricia, and I wish your every minute to be full of wonders.
Remember you are on your way towards death every day. It changes a lot the focus, in a good way.
I like the idea of a change of focus, thanks Ana.
A beautiful post, Remy and beautifully written -- raw, real and deep. I also know the experience of being brought right up to the edges of mortality. The ordeal seems less important to me now than the result, which was to realize that life is much more fragile than I thought . . . so I let it feed me. "Seize day" took on new importance and was reflected in my writing. To me, you are one of the heroes of whom you speak. Write on . . . and biggest of hugs.
Thanks Stephanie!
So glad to hear you are going to be alright! And equally relieved that you are not in the US where such a procedure would easily bankrupt an artist! Doctors are still massively fatigued from the pandemic--the more we can show them our gratitude--the better. Hope you are home soon!
It's mystifying to me how the US and its behemothic economy doesn't offer its citizen free health care. I can't wrap my mind around it. I hope you're well Alisa x
Thank you for this thoughtful post. I empathize with health issues all too well. Hope you are on the mend!
Thanks Timothy, I wish you all the very best as well.
I have come to see the benefit of doctors. I am a naturalist and try to use only natural healing practices but have come to know that we must all work together and doctors provide a valuable contribution to keeping us alive. I read this statement once of St. Teresa (I think) "Everything is nothing and nothing is everything" Thank you for sharing and glad you are better.
Take good care of yourself Remy.
Cheers Imola!
"It’s hard to face up to people who are most definitely making a real difference on a daily basis without feeling a sliver of envy." Love that. Yay for heroic doctors!
Sounds like you've had a scary time of it. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Thank you Wendy!
Get well, write, smile :)
Thank you for this post!!!
Take care, Remy.
I hope there's no regrets because this is one of your best posts. Get well soon!