Back again at Dartmouth, anyone entering my room dons a yellow gown, inadvertently hiding staff name tags. Two nurses enter yesterday and pause. My daughter and her boyfriend stand at my bed’s foot.
A nurse asks, Are you two the main medical team?
The three of us look at each other. In these days where not much has been funny at all, I’m tempted to roll with this, but my daughter jumps in and says, We’re family.
Oh, the nurse says, the Main Team. You looked so intent.
I add, Talking politics….
I’d been in the ER for two nights. The fact that I didn’t care is evidence of how lousy I felt. Due to my contagious infection, I’d been squirreled away. Wheeled through the hallways, I see how jammed this place is, people waiting in hallways, tucked into corners.
In these days, my daughters arrive with their cheery energy, with stories of their lives, their patience with me. I tell them my dream to start walking again…. A few warm days and I’m imagining the four feet of snow have vanished into mud. Not so.
My girls laugh. We’re going to have to Apple chip our mother so she doesn’t wander off….
No fear of my wandering in the (very near) future. But how I’m hungering for that. Just where, exactly, would I look for that chip? Under my boot sole? In the hem of my jacket? So I can give the slip when spring calls…..
Stony Soil Vermont 
Sending you the biggest, warmest hugs, dear Brett!
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I’m so sorry for all these challenges. Being at the mercy of illness is no fun.
At the mercy of illness is a good way to frame this.
Oh Brett. Sheesh. I just ranted a ton of profanity on your behalf that I won’t write here. May you shake the infection and walk in snowdrops, crocus, daffodils, iris, lilacs, peonies, lupine…. xo
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Thinking of you! 💕❤️💕
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Your cats are so darn cute. Sending healing thoughts your way and hoping you will soon be back home. 💕
Not quite as cute at their 4 a.m. hunger hour.
In all the years of hospital stays, not once has anyone mistaken a family member for the medical team. Impressive. Praying your feet will soon touch the ground and that you find Spring here early. 🫂❤️🙏
I’m quite sure it was the gowns, really. They spiff up everyone.
Yes, they’re so polished and professional looking 😂
Oh, sick enough to not care where you are. 😦
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Keep a tight hold on Spring. Good thoughts and blessings.
Gwen.
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🙏🌷And dammit, Dartmouth needs to install a year-round Springarium.
I so agree! What a plan!!’
This battle, no matter how treacherous, can’t steal the magnetism of your writing. I cling to every word.
Thank you, John. Greatly appreciated!
Dear Bellingham friend. This will pass and soon you will again feel blades of grass on bare soles. The sun. Please know–I have watched from a distance in envy and awe as you returned to the purpose that brought us briefly together in the halls and classrooms of Western. My God, you are alive in every word. You know how—persevere. Brett. Persevere.
Steve, my dear graduate school friend….. I’ve wondered about you over these years. Please drop me a line at brettstanciu@gmail.com. I would love to follow up. And thank you for these kind words. Persevering is the main thrust here.