premonition of a Tree

Hello Everyone!

I'm feeling better and my appetite's good!

My Mom has been sending me some photos of things I've made and the carving above is one of them; I made this head while working at Lake O'Hara about twenty years ago. At the time I remember thinking while carving it that it looked like Tim, one of the managers, who was somewhat challenged in the follicle department. (I know Tim doesn't mind a little good spirited fun poked at him}. I even put a couple of lumps on the head, 'cause Tim was famous for bumping his nogggin while splunking around in crawl spaces, cisterns, and septic tanks.
But check out the crooked smile! It's not Tim, It's Me!! My chemo therapy has me completely bald now, just like this guy (I think I named it George). Anyway, the resemblance is uncanny and I couldn't help but wonder if the whole thing was this big chunk of a tree showing me my future self.
I switched hospital rooms the other day at the urging of a few of the nursing staff. My room was cold and North facing and the one available was warm and South facing. After making the move it felt completely right. That was the room I was sick in and this will be the room I am well in. It really feels like I've past through the worst part of this illness (knock on George) and There is an endless well of gratitude to all of the friends and family out there who helped with their healing energy sent my way.
There's also a fellow named Thich Nhat Hanh, a author of Zen Buddhism who helped me greatly through the hard times. We took many quiet walks together and sat for what seemed like days by a clear flowing mountain stream. He helped me manage my pain by holding it like a small injured child and rocking it until it was calmed. Embracing rather than fighting.
I have so much to learn.
Thank you for your love.
I have never felt so grateful
so human
so held.

Brian