Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Waiting Is Difficult

An interminable amount of time
slowly moves, clocking passage
like the meandering river before me.
Waiting is difficult-
  sitting, transfixed on time
  watching a roomful of patients
  exiting, wondering, doubting
  When is my turn to end the wait?
Waiting is difficult-
 a name called, a smiling face
 small talk that eases the 
 tension within.
Waiting is insufferable
 but river-watching 
 holds the key to peace.
Wait time-resolved
good news floats through air
bringing smiles-small gifts
and great treasure-
like the river, life moves on.

This post is written for all who find waiting to be difficult even in the presence of faith and hope. I am offering it to Two Writing Teachers for its Slice of Life Tuesday weekly writing event.

12 comments:

  1. I agree: Where our mind wanders, when we must wait, makes all the difference.

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  2. It's like you wrote this for my family! You have beautifully captured these difficult moments in life!

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    1. Thank you for leaving me a comment. I wish I knew who sent this lovely comment.

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  3. Waiting creates a time when the head goes on wild worry journey. River-watching is a great mindfulness practice, staying in the now. I am glad your wait ended with good news.

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    1. Thank you, Terje. Thankfully, the river-watching brought me peace when I needed it most.

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  4. Love how the river's presence throughout the waiting seemed to comfort and alleviate the stress of waiting.

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    1. It certainly did, Ramona. Sloan's new cancer center just opened a few weeks ago and the whole ambiance is conducive to making patients comfortable.

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  5. Carol: I waited 1.5 hrs for my doc's appointment today, so this post really spoke to me. All good news on my front, I am so thankful and blessed. Congrats on your 17-year anniversary.

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    1. Good news for you and me, Karen. That is a blessed connection.

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  6. Waiting is so difficult and knowing how to occupy your mind, or empty it, is vital. Thanks for sharing this, Carol, and congratulations on your health status!

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    1. Molly, we try to "empty" our minds during yoga but even that is a difficult task when you have so many thoughts buzzing around. I am still enjoying the thought of another year of good health.

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  7. A dear friend of mine has been waiting since Thanksgiving for a diagnosis of some health problems. Test after test after test and no answers. I talk to her, or read your post, and remember to be thankful for every day of good health!

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