| In this time of COVID-19 pain, suffering, and fear, can we be still be joyful? I recently listened on On Being with Krista Tippett, to writer Ross Gay respond with: How can we not be joyful, especially in a moment like this? He says joy has nothing to do with ease and everything to do with dying. The awareness that all us humans will die has the potential to open us to tenderness, delight and joy in was is here, now. This is something I am continuously learning from my beloved husband, Stuart. A little more than a year ago we almost lost him.As some of you know, Stu was diagnosed with Progressive MS (Multiple Sclerosis) in 1998 and since then his mobility has been slowly decreasing. At the end of January 2019 he was hospitalized for a month with a sudden drop in his cognitive function and pneumonia, he was on a breathing machine for two weeks and had a tracheotomy. No one knew if he’d recover, or be able to talk again, (with no ability to move he relies on voice recognition for his work, so that was scary to say the least). No one knew if his cognitive abilities will be the same. But we were by his side 24/7. He was never alone and… Stu had a miraculous recovery! |
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| I will never forget the moment they took him off the breathing machine and he started to talk and respond. There he was, still completely paralyzed, fed through a tube in his nose, and we were so full of joy I could barely contain it! Since the hospital Stu is completely dependent on others. He can move his head and has gained a little movement in his left hand. But he still makes us all laugh and has a listening ear and supportive words for anyone in need. He is infinitely patient and kind to everyone around him! He says thank you a thousand times a day to every little spoonful, nose wipe and task performed for him by caregivers, family, and friends. I asked him: “How do you do it? you’re so completely dependent on others for every single thing – you can’t even scratch your nose – and you’re not depressed or angry or bitter?” He said: “I’m not sure. I think I just feel loved. I guess I’m grateful that there is someone there to scratch my nose…” Stuart still works full time thanks to his voice recognition software. He continues to be my inspiration, teaching me everyday to strive less, make the most of our limitations and above all to find joy in all that is. I can’t say I am a fast learner, but I’m working on it… I live by the grace of his sense of humor and our amazing caregivers who are working hard to keep Stu safe and healthy. I am so grateful to them all. Here are Florence, Beatrice and Richard, three of our beloved caregiving family: |
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 During this difficult pandemic time I am acutely aware of my blessings – so grateful to have my caregivers, friends and family, to have a home, food and wifi. I am happy to be a virtual walker for WALK MS 2020 to raise awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis.If you’d like to support me, you can learn more and donate HERE. I look for and find delight all around me, and excited to be part of several live storytelling Zoom events:  $15 Suggested Contribution/$5 Minimum All proceeds will be divided between the storytellers The storytellers joining us online on April 25, 2020 are: Noa Baum, Alton Chung, Dustin Fisher, Bonnie Gardner, Megan Hicks, Desarray-Tamar Joachim, Len Kruger, and Cyndi Wish. Registration and Tickets: HERE ____________________________________________________________________________  THE GRAPEVINE is going VIRTUAL – JOIN US MAY 13, 2020 VIA ZOOM! OUR FEATURED TELLERS: KEVIN KLING (Minnesota) and NOA BAUM (Maryland) REGISTER HERE YOU WILL GET AN EMAIL ON THE DAY OF THE SHOW WITH THE NECESSARY ZOOM INFORMATION. (more information on the calendar: HERE) Thank you for staying at home! You’re helping protect vulnerable people like Stu to keep them away from hospitals. Happy Spring! Happy Passover and Easter! I look forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming Zoom events! Love & Gratitude, Noa |
Thanks!