HUGS AND POETRY - THE NECTAR OF LIFE.

If you haven't noticed yet, I am a strong believer in hugs and poetry. I believe they provide sweet nectar in our journey through life. In today's blog I am going to tell you about a very special hug experience I had yesterday and share with you a poem I wrote recently. It looks at the humorous side of chronic health issues.

In 1994 my wife and I moved to Arizona. As was my custom I hugged those who came to my home. This included mailmen, visitors, parcel delivery men and whoever happened to knock on my door. One day a new parcel delivery man rang our doorbell to deliver a package. As I reached out to hug him he stepped back and said, "In my culture men do not hug other men." I apologized, told him I was a hugger and thanked him for delivering the package.

Over the next couple of years we would chat with one another when he delivered packages and I honored his request not to be hugged. One day he saw me hug the mailman and commented, "You do hug everybody don't you."

I responded, "Just about everyone except those who feel uncomfortable with hugs."

He opened his arms, reached out and hugged me. In that moment a new hugger was born!

About 3 1/2 years ago we sold our home and moved to a senior independent living apartment. We did not see my friend for a few months. One day he arrived at our apartment building at lunchtime and saw me sitting with others. His face broke into a broad smile, he walked to our table with outstretched arms and said, "Mr. Cunningham I wondered where you moved to, it's great seeing you." I stood up and gave him a hug. Whenever he delivers a package we give each other a hug.

During the holidays someone else was covering part of his route so we did not see him for over a month. Yesterday he arrived at our door with a package. He set it on our counter and gave me a hug. We chatted for a while, he turned to leave, then did a turnabout and gave me another hug. With a big smile across his face he commented, "It's amazing what a hug will do for you!"

What a blessing it was to me to hear those words. They were sweet nectar to my soul. Have you nurtured yourself recently with the sweet nectar of a hug?

Now let's shift gears and sip another kind of nectar. I find that writing or reading poetry nurtures my soul and helps me to gain perspective on life situations. For those of you suffering with medical conditions I hope the poem below will be an encouragement to you.

A beautiful verse of scripture for ailing elderly is Psalm 90:10 - "The days of our lives are 70 years; and if by reason of strength they are 80 years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away!" (NKJV)

Within the context of this verse, as one who is fast approaching 80, I struggled, trying to write a humorous poem about my debilitating health issues. Each time I found myself going toward the darker side of my conditions.

Then about a month ago I phoned the IV unit at our local hospital to confirm my appointment for my xolair shots. The receptionist asked me if I was, "Feeling healthy, fever free?" The question gave me the inspiration for the following poem:

FEELING HEALTHY - FEVER FREE?

(A poem inspired by Bobbi at IV Therapy, YRMC)

I'm feeling healthy, fever free,

Just as happy as I can be.

Although my heart is in a slump,

My new pacemaker makes it pump.

Cholesterol's another thing,

My arteries it gives a zing.

Quadruple by-pass makes it right,

I live to see another night!

Blood pressure keeps rising higher,

They say it can make me expire.

My meds I take religiously,

But little effect do I see.

When asthma strikes it steals my breath,

Takes me down to the gates of death.

My Xolair shots they start to work,

Oxygen tank I now can shirk.

My diabetes jumps around,

An easy cure cannot be found.

I take my pills and insulin,

Walk the treadmill, but don't get thin.

Swollen legs cause me much pain,

Water retention makes weight gain.

The water pills don't help me much,

Leg skin feels spongy to the touch.

Surgeries, I've had a lot,

Effected sitting on the pot.

Five nose operations went well,

Until I lost my sense of smell.

My cataracts just had to go,

I now can see the white lights glow.

Hearing has really gone to pot,

So hearing aids are what I got.

Knee joints creek - pain I can't escape,

Doc decides to chisel and scrape.

Toenails grow but I don't mind,

My doctor will just trim and grind.

Liver, bladder doing real good,

They're functioning just like they should.

My kidneys are checked frequently,

Make sure they filter properly.

Arthritis strikes a nasty blow,

Old joints are aching head to toe.

Nearly octogenarian.

Explains the shape my body's in.

The body though it mortal be,

Will rise to immortality.

When body and soul reunite,

Then off to Jesus they'll take flight.

My heavenly expectation,

Fills my heart with great elation.

There no more pain nor tears will be.

I'LL BE HEALTHY - FEVER FREE!

Hugs, In Christ's and My Love,

Don E. Cunningham, Author and Near Octogenarian© 1/2/2008 914