The Art of Life

Thursday, December 11, 2014


The Day My Life Changed

I was doing what I had been doing every day before. I had awaken to a fifth of gin and pack of 805 cigars. I was sitting outside on my $20 folding chair and the sun on face at 80 degrees. Youtube was playing and I was in a haze of alcoholism. I had a dull feeling of something I should be doing or not doing. I got used to not listening to my inner voice. “Goodbye,” was said as my wife walked out the door with ever member of my household. She was going on her yearly vacation to New York, New York. I waited for this opportunity for peace and quiet to drink and smoke. The next day, the day my life changed, began like any other day. I woke up and I tried to drink some of my gin and I couldn’t hold the liquid in my mouth. The beaded door hanging in my bedroom began talking to me. This event didn’t seem strange. The door to my bedroom was closed and I couldn’t walk anymore. I tried for several days to motivate myself to go outside. This common act now seemed as my greatest challenge. I believe the universe sent me a blessing in the form of my obnoxious brother-in-law. He was also dropping in on the apartment while his sister was on vacation. She told him to check on me. He opened the door and fortunately called the ambulance, when he saw me on the floor and unable to respond. This fact reminded me to have trust and faith in the unseen. One can call the “Creator,” “God”, etc. whatever one likes but I believe the creator sent my brother-in-law that day. My stroke day, (July 3. 2014), was the day when my life changed. This event taught me about hidden blessings. Most of the time our blessings come in a form we can’t recognize. The test of faith is manifested. Having a stroke makes me more thankful for my everyday blessings. Hugging my children brings me joy. Participating in art makes me feel good. In hindsight, I’m glad I had a stroke. The recovery process has slowed my perception, and taught me to appreciate both death and life. I don’t recommend one to experience a stroke to wake up to the flow of life, but I am still alive!

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