Eight days ago we were getting out of the car for a quick lunch in Phoenix before our flight home, following a relatively short but very interesting vacation far out in the desert in southeastern Arizona.
The lunch never happened. Long story short, we are still in Phoenix – I’m at an airbnb and my best friend, my life partner, my traveling mate and – well, the description could continue all night – but the fact is, he’s in the neuro ICU at a local hospital following a serious stroke.
I am coping with a life changing event far from home. I miss WordPress and the connection and pleasure it gives me. I don’t know what the future holds. We never do but it is muddier than usual.
I wish I had wonderful photos of the desert to show you but they are still on the card because we didn’t bring a computer – it was a pretty unplugged vacation. It’s been just me and my smart phone for twelve days – thank god for smart phones!
I felt I should check in with you all. I have not visited any blogs in almost two weeks. Priorities.
But I will get back to it, and I will do my best to try to accept and work with what comes my way, in each moment. Please, no pity. Maybe a little advice or support or kindness. We all know the world needs more kindness!
Enough. Time to get back to the hospital and see what’s up.
bluebrightly 
Wow, I am sorry to hear your news. Have you ever read Pema Chodrun’s When Things Fall Apart? It might not be time yet, but might be beneficial. Holding you and your partner in the Light.
LikeLike
Thank you – yes, familiar with Pema. Good idea to look again!
LikeLike
Scary times for you and yours.
I do not pray but my thoughts are with you.
I offer this to you in the humble hope (ironic of me to say…) that it may help you:
https://aprayerlikegravity.wordpress.com/2013/07/31/on-the-benefits-of-being-hopeless-quoets-for-poets-73113-and-rambles-for-a-crab/
These persons, these words, these writings have helped me through some tough times.
Much love–
LikeLike
Good to hear from you Johnny, and thanks for the reference. I will look when I have a minute. I appreciate your energy & thoughts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad to hear that, wishing you and your partner all the best there!
LikeLike
🙂 I appreciate it Ron, thank you
LikeLike
Oh Lynn, I’m sorry that you’re having to deal with this so far from home, and I hope and pray that your partner gets well soon. My thoughts are with you both. Take good care of yourselves and thank you for sharing what’s going on with you. Hugs and blessings xxx
LikeLike
Thank you for sending a smoke signal, and there’s power in collective energy…. sending my own extra-super dose to you now and will keep it full throttle…. he’s lucky to have you at his side…. hang in there, lisa
LikeLike
Oh, Lynn, I am so sorry. Thank you for checking in. Please keep us informed. I love you both! Pat
LikeLike
I love you mon
LikeLike
*mom
LikeLike
Wishing your partner a full recovery and the best to you through this difficult time.
LikeLike
Oh heck! I popped in on the strength of the beautiful photo. So sorry to hear this. Wishing him a good recovery.
LikeLike
We used to live in Phoenix so if you need assistance with any resources, please do reach out, Lynn. Wishing you peace and love.
LikeLike
I hope he will have a speedy recovery! Doctors can do amazing things now.
LikeLike
I wish I had something concrete to offer but I will hold you and your partner in my thoughts. The beautiful photo you shared speaks of hope~may it sustain you as you go through this difficult journey. Remember that your friends here are with you.
LikeLike
I don’t have adequate words, but wishing both your partner and you the best possible outcome in this scary time. It feels odd to ‘like’ a post with such a serious message. Sending vibes of peace and tranquility and healing for the days ahead. Best, Babsje
LikeLike
All the kindness in the world to an incredible,unique person call me whenever you want.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an awful thing to happen! But the fact is none of us know just what life is going to throw at us tomorrow… ! Your partner is in the best place, getting the best possible treatment and when treatment is prompt recovery prospects are greatly improved. I really wish the best possible outcome for you both. With a fighting spirit and unwavering determination recovery, although a lengthy process, can be quite amazing… ! Don’t worry about your blog, we’ll all still be here when you’re able to get back to it. Thinking of you…
LikeLike
I can well imagine that being far from home and all things familiar is bound to make dealing with this situation on so many levels much more difficult Lynn , initial excellent ICU treatment is the key from my experience.
As a result of coming across your statement – “Throughout my career, I have learned how resilient the human spirit can be in rising above huge challenges.”- I’m wishing heaps of that resilience for you both right now .
Finding the very kind of positivity , patience and strength needed to overcome obstacles in these early days of what hopefully will be a speedy recovery may well be a challenge at times .Support from friends is paramount Lynn – and yes – thank heavens for Smartphones, the ability to connect in various ways at the moment can only be a good thing . Keep in touch and take care of you too xx Poppy
LikeLike
Sending hugs
LikeLike
Oh no. Ive only experience of one friend who had a big stroke and despite loosing sight, speech and movement at the time, he went on to make a full recovery from the stroke. However, you have to be realistic, and I know that’s not always the case – I sincerely hope it will be in your case. I can’t imagine going through this while not being at home and I truly feel for you. I hope you can both get home as soon as it’s safe to travel and I hope your insurance will help. If your insurance doesn’t cover it, I would think this is the perfect scenario for a crowd funding situation as I know we would all like to help you in any way we can. Good luck and keep us posted if you can.
LikeLike
No, no pity, past experience tells me you’re absolutely right in asking that. Fact is, I greatly admire you for having the mental wherewithal and courage to put out this post at all. Its a cliché I suppose, but the only way is forward, and I urge you to take very good care of yourself – as well as looking after him. You’re both in my thoughts. Adrian
LikeLike
Here’s hoping your partner has a full recovery and you’ll be on your way home soon.
LikeLike
Shocked – and you will stay in my thoughts as I hope for healing and for many blessings for both of you. My very, very best wishes. XXX
LikeLike
Wishing you strength to go through and come out of this ordeal together
LikeLike
Take care, my friend. I’m glad you checked in, and I hope the beauty on our blogs and many other things will bring you peace as you have those moments to reach out. We will be here.
LikeLike
You have all my best thoughts and wishes, Lynn, for your partner’s recovery and your ability to handle what comes. We’re always here at WP when you need a respite; take care.
LikeLike
I’m so sorry I didn’t see this post until now. You definitely have my best wishes and support, Lynn. I hope the warmth from all your blogging friends helps a little. Take care. I’ll be thinking about you.
LikeLike
My best wishes form Germany for you and your partner!
Wish you strength and luck in these difficult times.
LikeLike
It seems my replys dont go through. All the support in the universe to a very unique individual! We are all with you-call any time….
LikeLike
The first blessing is that you were in Phoenix, and not still in the desert. My hope is that more blessings have come your way as you live through this. One of my dearest friends had a stroke about three years ago, and while I understand that everyone’s recovery is different, she has been able to progress very well. She’s driving again, walking without a cane, and presently is off on a cruise.
Whatever happens, I’ll be thinking of you, and wishing both of you the very best. And thank you for letting us know.
LikeLike
A bit behind, as usual, but my positive thoughts have joined the chorus. Wishing you both well in every way possible.
LikeLike
So sorry to hear of your partner’s stroke and hope he will recover fully soon. May the support of all the people who have left comments here help both of you get through this terrible misfortune.
LikeLike
oh dear… all the best to your partner and to you from berlin, too!
LikeLike
I’m sorry I’ve been so long in getting around to your post, and even more sorry to read its contents. m I hope that by now you have positive news. My thoughts and best wishes are with you.
LikeLike
I am sorry about the life changing events you and your life partner has experience, Lynn. Most of all I wish for a good recovery for you partner. I wish you all the best.
LikeLike
Hope things are getting better for you soon. Greetings from Germany – I just discovered your blog and I’m deeply impressed by your very special, personal photos.
All the best to you
Ule
LikeLike
Oh, Lynn — we are sorry to hear this! We are thinking of you and send our wishes for a speedy recovery. Jean & Alex
LikeLike
Sending hugs to you. I am humbled by how precarious life is and how much we need to compensate for changes in our lives as we age. Probably time to become friends with all the hospital personnel. Blessings to you, Lynn.
LikeLike
Oh my gosh Lyn, I’m so sorry to hear your news and so many best wishes to you both xxx
LikeLike
Sending strength and the best of thoughts.
LikeLike
Just catching up, after being away myself, Lynn. So sorry about your loved one having a stroke. I hope he’s much improved by now. *hugs *
LikeLike
I’m so sorry to hear this Lynn. I hope he’s well on the road to recovery now. xo
LikeLike
Hi Lynn,
I’m so sorry it’s taken me a while to find this post. When you said you were in the ICU with Joe I knew I must have missed something. As you know I’ve been in Fuerteventura without an Internet connection and whilst that has been a wonderful break, you realise just how much you can miss and when a friend is in need of some comfort and support, to have missed the opportunity to provide just a few words, a hug across the ether and to say that one’s thoughts are with you is quite upsetting.
I hope that Joe is on the road to recovery. I know that the road can be long and hard but with the right support which I know you will provide and access to a good rehab facility, huge strides can be made.
I’m happy that you were able to dip into WordPress, to connect with this amazing community at such a difficult time and to take some comfort from being able to look at some posts. I’m happy that you were able to enjoy my WordPress birthday entry.
My thought are with you and Joe Lynn. Take care and keep in touch..
My very best regards
Adrian x ((Lynn))
LikeLike