Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I'm So Dizzy

“And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.” II Corinthians 8:10


My life from the weekend before Thanksgiving until now has flown by so fast that I cannot help but be dizzy. I thought any moment that I would take time to sit down and write a New Year’s blog full of whatever resolutions I probably would not keep, but I never seemed to have the time. On the Monday before Thanksgiving I had back surgery which took up all my spare time with physical therapy, so December and January both have just flown by. The bad news being that I did not get to enjoy the holidays very much, but the good news is that my leg pain seems to be much relieved.

So last year my only resolution was to have ten good days, which I really feel that I was able to accomplish. I actually had some pretty good weeks during 2010. Had it not been for my company moving thirty miles from my house and my excruciating back pain during the last four months then last year would have been one of my better years.

Work moving has really been bad in that it has taken up all of my ‘me’ time. I no longer have the luxury of wind-down time each afternoon, so my temper with partners and friends alike has probably been hard for them to deal with since June. Coupled with the pain I was in I can only imagine what a bitch I must have been to everyone during the last quarter of the year. Hopefully they will forgive me!

One good thing that came out of the last four months was that I gained two new friends. Of course, as usual these days they started out as Martin’s friends from his choir, but quickly became my friends as well. One of the two has really made me feel better about my lot in life. He is actually half my age, and has opened my eyes to so many new thoughts and experiences. What he sees in having an old man like me for a close friend I am not sure, but I certainly am glad that we have bonded. While I have not gotten near as close to the other one, still we have shared a lot of confidences. That sharing that I have been able to do with both of them is what has surprised me the most. For this shy man, it used to take years of friendship with someone before I let down my guard and started trusting. Now I seem to not be as scared at taking chances with my heart.

So after last year's resounding success with my resolution, should I now make an even bolder one this year? I think not. In Paul’s words to the Corinthians he points out that what use are good purposes if after a year they have led to no good deeds. Perhaps this year instead of making promises that would only benefit myself, I need to work on making changes in my life that would benefit others. Especially those I love…

Monday, October 18, 2010

The Long and Winding Road

“And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 9:17

How impossible it seems to me that it has been over six months since I have written a blog. Everyday I have flashes of thoughts that I wish to write down, but never seem to take the time to do so. In June, my company finally did what they had been threatening to do for 5 years. They moved our place of business out of Birmingham to Pelham, so my daily commute went from 2 miles a day to 32 miles. Suffice it to say that move has not been good for either my nerves or my free time. I know I scare both co-workers and friends alike when I say things like it is good that I do not carry a gun in my glove compartment, but that is a truthful statement. I finally realize the true definition of ‘road rage’.

The last six months has been a time of extreme highs and dismal lows for me. Martin, Joe, and I went on a truly fantastic week long trip to San Francisco in June which became not only a highlight of this year, but of my life. In September, Martin and I went with 3 of our friends for our yearly trip to the beach which turned out to be one of the best ever. Perhaps the best news is that 2 new friends have entered my life which both show a lot of promise, and I have continued to get much closer to an old acquaintance. So, on the bright side at the beginning of the year I had hoped for 10 really happy days this year, and I feel I have already more than surpassed that total.

Of course, with me the good always comes with more than its share of bad. My health both physically and mentally has certainly deteriorated since my last blog. For the last 8 years I have been fighting back pain from a degenerative disc, but over the last 6 weeks it has gotten almost unbearable. The pain has become constant and has started affecting my leg and my walking. This week I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon who hopefully can provide me with some relief without surgery. At work I am just miserable. In this new building we are packed on each other like sardines. I can truly hear every conversation my 12 nearest neighbors have, and for someone who already has concentration issues and who is as slow at their job as me any distraction is not good. At home while I really have nothing to complain about, I seem to never be happy. I was left home alone for most of this last weekend, and in the past that would have been a wonderful thing for me. I normally would have gone out partying with friends, watched all my favorite movies, played for hours on the internet, and ate and drank to my heart’s content. This weekend though I was barely able to force myself to go get a bite to eat. I spent the majority of both days laying on the bed in my boxers crying and feeling sorry for myself.

Like the apostle Paul, I so hope everyday to receive some insight as I travel along the long, winding road of life that will bring about a much needed change in my life. Perhaps I need God to lift the scales from my eyes so I can see how truly well I have it. All I know for sure though is that one day soon I am going to have to find a new map, because on the one I was given all roads seem to lead to a dead-end…

Friday, March 26, 2010

Gimme Fever

“And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician: but they that are sick. “ Luke 5:31

All my life when I would have a bad cold a couple of times a year, I assumed it was the flu. Now though after being stuck in my house for five days not wanting to even move, I know what the real flu feels like. It kicks your butt! It has been a month since I have written in my blog because I just have not had time. Work has become so much more stressful that after exercise and dinner all I want to do is go to bed. There simply is no time for writing. Being sick has certainly given me time to write, but I cannot imagine what work will be like next week when I go back. I will probably be fired for being out so long.

One thing about being sick and out-of-pocket for a lengthy time is that you quickly learn who you mean the most to and who are just mainly ‘sunny day’ friends. Of course, at first everyone you know seems concerned and checks in on you, but as the time progresses most of them fall quickly by the wayside. A few though stand by you no matter how long it takes or how bad things get. Those are the friends who truly love and care for you.

Martin and Joe have of course been taking great care of me. Sometimes their need to nurse becomes overbearing, but I love them for it. Three other friends have really stepped up to check on me numerous times each day. One of these guys has been my friend for over twenty years, and while at times our relationship has fluctuated I know no one could care more about my well-being than him. The other two have surprised me a little more because while I have known both of them for ten years or so it is only in the last few months that we have become really close friends. Seeing how much they worry about me has really bolstered my spirits this week. I am so lucky and thankful to have friends like these three in my life.

I think at times like this what I find most surprising are the people who do not step up. Everyone has different circles of friends. An outer circle of acquaintances that you never really expect much from, and an inner circle who you would do anything for and expect the same in return. My inner circle is a very small one simply because I have a hard time making close friends. I am just not very open and trusting. Those that I do allow into that circle though I am always there available for them, and am truly surprised and hurt when I feel our friendship is not the two-way street that I hoped it to be.

Jesus’ comment in Luke was about those needing to be saved as opposed to those whom were already saved. I feel it can be interpreted more broadly in that you should not just be a friend to someone when their life is going well, but should also be there for them during the down-trodden times. That is what I have always tried to do, and pray I will never let any of my friends down because I know how it feels.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Five Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes

"Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.” Galatians 4:10

I find it almost impossible to believe that it has been an entire year since I wrote my first blog. I originally got the courage to start writing at the urging of a special friend who thought it might help me find peace with my thoughts. Truthfully I cannot say whether or not it has been a success.

How should a person measure a year in their life? This year has been much like any other in my life full of ups and downs. I forced myself to come out of my self-imposed exile by allowing many new people into my life. I joined a gay hiking group which has certainly served to bring me out of my shell a good bit, but still have not found the courage to attend any events unless Martin was going also. I made three very dear new friends and strengthened two old friendships, but most of these seem to be waning. While life at home continues to be happy, life at work only gets worse especially with our move to the new building rapidly approaching. Other than my depression, my health seems to be very good though I am fearful of what the eye doctor will find when I return to him in May. So no matter how far it seems I progress, still I keep sliding backward.

So what should I do in the year to come? Should I continue to forge ahead enjoying my new openness which has brought a lot of happiness with it, but also leaves me vulnerable to so much pain? Or should I sink back into that dismal little corner where I feel so secure, but so unhappy?

Paul is correct we humans do seem to feel the need to observe anniversaries. Well this my first anniversary blog is my 27th overall. I am not sure if during the next year I will write more or less, but I do plan to continue to write as the spirit moves me. No, I am not sure if it has brought any contentment to my soul, but it has given me a feeling of release each time I write down thoughts that I am too scared to contemplate in any other way. It has certainly seemed a better outlet for my emotions than drinking my self silly or crying myself to sleep. Here is hoping that my second anniversary blog will find my attitude, my health, my life much improved! Guess I better get busy working on that since it is only 525,600 minutes away…

Monday, February 15, 2010

My Funny Valentine(s)

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” I John 4:7

This past Valentine’s weekend was one of much joy for me. Starting on Friday with a long walk in the snow with Martin then followed on Saturday and Sunday with an overnight trip to Tuscaloosa with both Martin and Joe, I could not have planned a better way to celebrate. The laugher and love we shared this weekend was an unbelievable lift to my soul. Sharing time with these two beautiful, funny men brought a ray of light into a dismal winter season. To be so loved, I find an amazing gift which I doubt I will ever deserve.

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach” those beautiful words written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning are in a book of sonnets given to me one day years ago by a Valentine. A lost Valentine once told me that all he wished for in life was to wake up next to me each day. Another Valentine of mine once compared our love to Mercer’s “Midnight Sun”. While yet another one told me that I held his heart in my hand to do with as I will. All very lofty and scary ideals to live up to…

I have had very few Valentines in my life. Perhaps it is the intense fear of being responsible for someone else’s heart that has kept me all my life from opening up my own heart. I have certainly given my heart on occasion, but to only a very few whom I have trusted completely to protect it. Still I wonder how any of those who have given me their heart would take that chance with me? Once my love is given it endures forever, yet still I seem to constantly hurt those I love. If only love were enough to make people happy.

In the Bible, John teaches us to ‘love one another’. That sentiment is often times impossible to follow. Still throughout my life I have found a few people to whom I freely gave my love. Those people, those friends, those Valentines…they are what makes my life worth living!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Mon Meilleur Ami

“Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.” I Samuel 18:3

Just about a year ago, I made a new friend. While you might say what is the big deal…my answer would be that it had been a long time prior since I had last allowed someone to grab a piece of my heart. I had pretty much thoroughly shut myself off from new people and new experiences. I was scared to take the chance of being hurt or of hurting someone else. One night last February though I let down my guard for just a moment, and this guy wormed his way into my life.

I am not sure that either of us realized at the time what we were getting ourselves into, since we are both quite a handful. I imagine at the time neither of us would have even believed that we would still be close a year later. I certainly did not! I was completely taken off guard that someone I hardly knew could so quickly become one of my closest friends. Yet here we are a scant year later, and I cannot imagine life without him in it.

Our friendship has seen a year of highs and lows, ups and downs, mistakes and apologies, and has endured. Not sure if that has been easy for him, but for me it has been quite a challenge. There have been times when I wonder how I could survive without him in my life, and other times when I think how two such diverse people could hope to maintain a close relationship. Our hopes, desires and needs from a friendship seem at times to be so different that they are irreconcilable, yet anytime we start drifting apart we quickly rebound. Since the day our friendship first blossomed, his life has been in turmoil. Perhaps that is why he needed me… On that day, my life had become one of sheltered emotions. Perhaps that is why I needed him…

Jonathan and David are the greatest example of true friendship not only in the Bible, but in any literary work. While I have no idea where our friendship will be once another year passes, like the Bible pair I have made a covenant with him. No matter how far apart our lives take us there will never be a day he cannot call on me if needed.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Winter Wonderland

“Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.” Ecclesiastes 7:3

Webster’s defines the word depression as ‘a state of feeling sad’. I hardly think that definition goes far enough. Sadness is a normal state of being that every human must deal with at different points in their life. I feel depression on the other hand is when you have such an overwhelming feeling of sadness that you think there is no way to ever dig out from under it. I feel that I have personally combated depression all my life, but it always intensifies each winter.

My mood begins to grow worse as soon as fall arrives the moment I start noticing the days are growing shorter and the nights are growing colder. By the time winter arrives I feel all happiness has gone from the world. I find it almost impossible to get up in the mornings, and all I want to do at night is have a drink and go to bed. While it would not solve all my problems with depression, I feel a good 5 month hibernation cycle would certainly help.

Unfortunately, I cannot just drink and sleep my cares away! Instead I have to force myself to face each day, and forge through. During the week my mind stays focused on work so much that I have little time to think about other issues, while on weekends I usually try to keep myself too busy to dwell on my problems. This past weekend though was a very uneventful one for me, and while my physical body was happy for the rest it was hard on my mental well-being. I had much too much time on my hands to dwell on my personal issues, and feel sorry for myself.

The last week was not a good one for me at all. I received some rather distressing news about my health which while not completely horrible was certainly a shock. Work and extracurricular activities keep Martin so busy that we hardly ever have time to talk. Joe was sick all week himself, and while I know he is fine still since his heart surgery I worry anytime he is ill for more than a couple of days. The few friendships that I count on seem to be more distant each day. My oldest friend I seem to ask too much of, and though he does not complain I know it is not fair of me. A new friendship that I have been trying to cultivate seems to be going nowhere. Neither of us really have the time to spend with each other which is needed in the early stages of a relationship. The friend I have been closest to over the last year is pulling away a little at a time. More than likely I have asked too much of him also.

Sometimes…most times I am just so scared and lonely. One of the prophets tells us that sorrow is better than happiness because it makes the heart stronger. If that is the case then mine must be beating with great strength. I am sure that I am taking that verse out of context though. I think maybe it is telling me instead that I need to start working on my own attitude. It is not the responsibility of those around me who touch my life to make me happy. I am sure happiness is out there I just need to have the strength of will to go find it. Hopefully now that the days are getting slightly longer as winter winds down laughter will once again find a way into my heart.