10 Comments

Dear Shelly, as I was reading your blog, I was reminded of your book the courage way, and your talk on the different types of courage. You embody courage! Here’s to prayers for complete healing and speedy recovery, dear friend! 💕

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thank you so much! xo

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"If you have any sayings or songs related to hands and thumbs, send them my way! " ... O.K, here goes. I recite poetry occasionally and one in my repertoire is Emily Dickinson's (1830-1886) "I took my Power in my Hand". If asked "isn't this rather negative?" I reply "look at the first stanza, the courage needed, and acted upon, to face a difficult situation. How can stepping out in boldness be a failure?" The outcome (second stanza) ... well, as always if truth be known, is in the lap of the gods. That said, I hope it all goes well with the best outcome for you.

Here's Dickinson's poem:

I took my power in my hand.

And went against the world;

T'was not so much as David had,

But I was twice as bold.

I aimed my pebble, but myself

Was all the one that fell.

Was it Goliath was too large,

Or only I too small?

(PS: I'm lucky if my gloves last one year ... and I have a lot of left-hand gloves which are o.k but with their right-hand counterparts well worn out. I'll be looking for a left-handed gardener at the next food-swop)

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Josh, this is the best. What a poem to keep pondering! It’s so fun to have connected with you and Viktoria today. Affirms my hope that our small world is full of creative, compassionate people and possibilities! Thank you!!

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Shelly I see your healed right thumb but I also see your left thumb exerting its dominance - finally free to lead, activating the right side of your brain. Every loss, every setback comes with unimaginable (or imaginable ;-) gifts. Life is a whole, a beautiful paradox. I see you x

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what a great reframe to imagine!! thank you (typed left handed) xo

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Yay for happy healthy thumbs and all the support from clinical teams and loved ones! 😘🦄🌈💫💖👍 to a super smooth and successful procedure!

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Thank you, Megan! :)

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Shelly, you have my prayers. Can't imagine being without the use of a thumb even for a day. I hope they both heal well. I am reminded of the hitchhiking scene from It Happened One Night, with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. Be well!

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Thank you, Bob! I will have to add It Happened One Night to my binge list for recovery time and revisit that scene. :)

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