MISLEADS, EXAGGERATIONS, & WISHFUL THINKING

Having re-read my 1st post, I want to admit that you may expect some exaggerations, wishful thinking, and potentially misleading statements in this blog. I thought I would explore these a little with you.

In my first post I stated “I do love the bard!”.  I do; that is true.  However, it is also true that I am not all that familiar with his works.  I’ve read a number of them, saw a performance at the Globe Theatre with my daughter, Maggie, but have only really studied one: Romeo and Juliet.  We studied it in 8th grade and were made to memorize 10 dialogues of our choosing.  That assignment was a blessing that has enriched the rest of my life.

I love to quote Shakespeare because his words can illuminate life so well.  Working with blurry-eyed student employees who are struggling with the growing burdens of adulthood, I have often quoted Friar Laurence:

“Care keeps his watch in every old man’s eye, and where care lodges, there sleep will never lie; but where unbruised youth with unstuffed brain doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign.” 

The students get it.  It usually elicits a far away look and knowing smile. 

I have often raised my fist to the sky and yelled (mostly in jest):

“Then I defy you, stars!”

If nothing else, it feels good to just say it. 

I’m certain that, the first time I saw Pam, I thought:

“Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!”

I have often quoted the speech from Act 3 of Henry V to athletes entering battle and have never met a competitive, male athlete that was immune to it.  I believe my son, Mario, first shared it with me. It was my habit to text or speak the first line to my sons before they entered a competition.  That one line communicated so much.  They always responded to it in a fashion that made me proud!  Here are my favorite parts:

“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;

…

Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,

Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit to his full height.

…
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!”

Every regatta I saw either of my sons line up at, every kick-off team I saw Matthew assemble with, I would be thinking:

“I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, straining upon the start”,

and I would be moved. 

So, the statement “I do love the bard” is absolutely true.  Clearly, he has illuminated and enhanced my experience of life.  Yet that statement infers that I am well versed in Shakespeare, which I am not.  This is a totally unintended, innocent mislead.  More may follow; please be gentle with me. 

Another line from my 1st post gave me pause.  I wrote:

“My doctor stated, correctly, that I am starting treatment 'standing tall', meaning I am physically strong and mentally sharp…”

In this instance, I quoted my doctor’s statement, but I went farther in adding that he was ‘correct’.  This was not so much a mislead as an attempt to convince myself of something I wanted to believe. 

The truth is, I have had three years of knee and ankle problems that, at times, has me hobbling around like an old man.  Presently, my knees are a real problem.  I have to walk to keep my blood count up, but I can no longer take Aleve, or any analgesic that deals with inflammation. 

Recently, I finally listened to Pam and started to ice my knees several times a day and that has helped significantly.  I’m not hobbling so much and perhaps I am ‘standing a little taller’.  I suppose I should listen to her more! 

Today marked the half way point of my Rad/Chemo treatment.  I’m feeling pretty good and I still have my hair.  I will attach a photo from earlier this week.

By the way, I feel perfectly comfortable with embellishment for the author’s self-aggrandizement and the reader’s entertainment; that is good fun for everyone! 

All my best,

Fred.