Hectic Heart
untitled, 22″ x 30″, 1992, monoprint
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It is scarily hot here.
For too long now.
Yesterday I got caught without any liquids with me and stopped into the golden arches for an iced tea.
They were a beacon of light when I saw them there.. I was beyond thirst and heading into MS heat shutdown fast.
So, I waited in the drive thru but it was lunchtime and too many others were there with me in line.
I felt myself crossing over into ‘borderline-human’ status as the heat worked on me.
I start to hate everyone and my tolerance level hit zero.
Finally, with oversized cup in hand I pull away toward the exit.
There are cars coming and going at an alarming rate; they’ve got a mini window of time for lunch and they NEED it BAD.
And so.. mayhem ensues as each is out for themselves; getting into line FAST!
I’m waiting there at the exit to try to do just that.. EXIT this damn place and get what I need: peace and liquids in me.
BUT NNNNNNNOOOOOOO…
NO ONE WILL LET ME EXIT.
I can’t get out of there.
Panic peeks around the corner with a knife in her hand, a very ugly mask and my heartbeat runs too fast.
I call up a smidgeon of humaneness and say a prayer of pure supplication: “Dear God.. Please have someone see that I have to get out of this parking lot immediately and let me go before them. Please let civility be alive and present.”
And there it was… the miracle at McDonalds.. a white (of course) Honda with dark glazed windows paused to let me leave.
Somehow, when angels appear to help, we never seem to get to identify them so a proper thank you can pass between us.
They appear, then they’re gone on their way to help another needy human.
I pulled onto a shady street and drank down my iced tea and felt the slow return of my sanity.
I finally remembered myself and was glad.
And there was peace and a quiet and grateful heart.
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3 Responses to “Hectic Heart”
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Isn’t it lovely when people reach outside of self-interest? So rare, so precious. Hope you are keeping cool(er)!
Your story really touched me — I love hearing about these little miracles in our lives. I get tired of hearing about all the evil in the world, and it’s good to know there are decent human beings among us. Thanks for sharing. Stay cool.
Peace,
Muff
I know these feelings so well Cathy…the frustration, anger at others (aka disappointment in our bodies that are letting us down and so then we turn that onto others- at least that’s how it is for me)…and the relentlessness of heat…feeling like a wind up doll with the key slowing down and movement with it…I’m having a day in which nobody understands my speech…heat does the weirdest things to an MS body!!!!
Thank God for angels…they are everywhere!!!