Monday, August 09, 2010

Classifieds

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FOUND: In the worldwide village of Blogaritaville, in my itty-bitty corner of it, the family and friends I never had. Inquire within.

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FOUND: In my desk drawer, the postage stamps I claimed in March 2008 the US Postal Service never delivered. Oops. Inquire within.

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ANNOUNCMENT: When the consulting pulmonologists agreed that I’m in the “final stage” of emphysema, they were correct. The daily, sometimes hourly, struggle to breathe is getting harder. We are in the process of checking out hospice services so I can stay with Martha and the dogs. Inquire within.

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ANNOUNCMENT: The hearing in my right ear is getting harder, too. Inquire within.



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PERSONAL: As my earthly sail gets ever closer to the other-worldly wind I wonder, in The Great Scheme of Stuff, where I’m going next. I want to go home, but where, exactly, is it? Inquire within.

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28 comments:

Philip Dodd said...

Charlie. If I could package up some extra breath I'd send you it as a gift each week. Breath to keep the wind in your sails and your words flying like flags on a ship's mast. I'm so impressed by your determination to express yourself for as long as humanly possible. It is the right thing to do.

mapstew said...

PERSONAL; My dearest Charles, I am so glad to have wandered into Blogaritaville (in somewhat
of a haze I readily admit!) to find friends as good and likeable and witty as you, and the rest of the shower! I do hope you will consider me to be part of your 'family'.

Sailing close to the wind eh? I wish I could be there to help, I think I would make quite a good sailor! And a handsome one to boot! :¬)

And wherever your Home is, when you do get there I am sure of one thing, it will be full of love.

In the meantime Charles my friend, I send you my love, and look forward to many many posts from you. :¬)

Kim Ayres said...

I thought your home was right here, Charlie. That's why I always take my boots off at the door before leaving a comment... :)

hope said...

It's very comfy here...kindly do not put up a "For Sale" sign just yet, okay?

I was diagnosed with asthma last year, meaning I truly understand the breathing [or not!] part. So in a way, I can feel your pain. If I had a genie and a lamp, I'd also wish for gentle breezes to aid you in smoother sailing.

But don't you know they say "Home is where the Heart is"? So you have many rooms to wander through ...in ALL our hearts. We'll do the dusting and move the furniture around as you see fit. Martha has enough to do.

And I think it's so considerate of Kim to take off his boots. ;)

DJan said...

Just having found you, I'm not willing to have these precious posts stop right now. So, dear Charlie, I appreciate every day you struggle to keep on keepin' on. Hugs, virtual though they may be.

Lo said...

Oh, Charlie....I know what it is like to have to work for each breath. .....I am SO sorry,.

I love your blog and you as its brilliant source. Don't you dare quit now.

Fay Campbell said...

Charlie, I've often been told I'm full of hot air. I wish I could send you some. I'm not at all willing to let go of you, so please deal with my velcro-like friendship. I'm glad I found you.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

Charlie....I am sad to hear that your breathing has worsened. Hospice is a wonderful organization, for you and Martha.

My dad struggled with emphysema for about 15 years, and his final years with 24 hour a day oxygen.

I will be thinking of you and hoping to see more posts...you've made many days brighter.

CiCi said...

Dear Charlie, I am so happy to have gotten to know you as much as I have in this short time. I liked you like a brother after reading a couple of your posts. We never know who we reach in this life. I want you to know you reached me. Thank you for all your honest posts and your humor and hanging in for as long as you are able. I cannot bear to think of you in pain, struggling for air. My hubby and I send sincere loving hugs to you and Martha.

Tiffin said...

ah dear friend. The thing of it is that you may sail on to wherever and whatever "next" is but each of us now has a Charlie drawer in our hearts. Mine is full of treasures, to be opened as needed for the rest of my days until my own sail sets into that wind.

But for now: found indeed.

Linda Koons said...

My verification word is "amicsi. That's close enough to "amici" to give me a little shiver. If anyone ever suggests to me that the friendships we make in cyberspace are somehow less than authentic, I have several examples with which to refute their arguments. You, amico mio, are Exhibit "A". I love Tui's "Charlie drawer"; that's such an apt image. I read this earlier today, and it applies so well to you: " {you have} that most endearing of qualities, an abundant zest for life. It {is} rare, that zest, ... an accidental gift, like blue eyes or a double-jointed thumb: impossible to acquire, and almost impossible, thank heaven, to lose." You share so much of your vitality with us, Charlie, and we are all richer for it. Home is a place you carry within you...I have no doubt that when the time comes (please, Universe, not too soon), you'll recognize it.

Trina Y. said...

I am so amazed by your zest. I am grateful for your mind and that you still continue to share.

I wonder where "next" is too...
trina
www.mommeville.com

Robert the Skeptic said...

You need no breath to share your words. Everyone here is listening.

Syd said...

Love the cartoon. If you sail too close to the wind you might be in irons so take care. I'm loving your sailing analogy. And hoping that breathing and living will come easier for you soon.

Warden Files said...

That's the spirit Charlie my lad, like all good men, valliant until the very beginning. I say beginning because I refuse to belive in an end.

Pat said...

Warden - as usual - is right.
You fill a large hole Charlie, that was left when my dear friend Old Horsetail Snake from Oregon left us. He had the same health problems but was quite a bit older that you.
For what it's worth I think you and Martha should do whatever is possible to give you the best quality time together.
And like all your true cyber friends I'm sending wind(the right kind), will, strength and heart felt good wishes.xoxox

A Daft Scots Lass said...

I also loved the cartoon.

My dad was diagnosed too and I wish he was stop his 60 a day smoking habit.

Pat said...

On the ball as ever I've just got the cartoon. I love it:)

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

It is everywhere and all around and full of the best of the best. You will know it as soon as you arrive and you will feel safe because it is home.You have been going toward it from the time of your conception. Please give us a bit more time. Seems a selfish request but you touch us all in splendid ways.

Bill Lisleman said...

Charlie you are great true blogging friend. You really know how to express yourself.
What a beautiful thought of having your sail pick up the wind from the other-world.

I wish you and Martha all the best.

Sharon Longworth said...

Sometimes, despite all my professed desire to be a writer, words simply fail me. So I will call on the words of Dylan Thomas -
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Take care as you continue your journey - we are all travelling with you.

Trina Y. said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving me a note. It really means a lot to me that you enjoyed my photos! I hope I can bring happiness anytime of day! I will try and keep more posts coming for your entertainment!
Trina
www.mommeville.com

Madame DeFarge said...

Charlie, you are so heartbreakingly matter of fact about this. I remain proud to know you, even through this medium and look forward to all your posts. You have my entirely ineffectual thoughts and love.

Eryl said...

You are incredible. I stumbled into your little corner of Blogaritaville and found my buddha.

Home is all around, all your ship is doing is taking you to another part of it, the part with fresh coffee and chocolate chip cookies in plentiful supply. The heart of it.

Buzzard said...

Charlie,

It appears you have a long list of friends sending thoughts and prayers to you and Martha.

My wife and I are proud to be part of your circle of well wishers and admirers.

Anonymous said...

Charlie, none of us knows how long we have left here and going through what you are is not something everyone does with dignity. You are a true inspiration, so keep on keepin' on. I so love your posts and hope to be reading them for quite a long while yet.

Barbara Bruederlin said...

It feels like home here, Charlie. And you know that wherever you and Martha and the dogs end up living, you will always find a house full of friends right here. Stay well, Charlie, stay with us.

Alice said...

you know i cherish your blog and your comments on my own. just like everyone else. i like hope's description of home. i've already made room for you, but i'll leave the light on. don't worry about getting in late.