Cell 2 Soul: The Humane Health Care Blog

The Good Death: What Matters?

by Sue Mayfield Geiger

“If I could give one night back to you,” she asked, “which one would it be?”
“Are you my wife?” he replied.
“Yes,” she stated. “I'm Louise.”
“Then it would have to be that night in 1938 when I was stationed at Ft. Crockett in Galveston. The night at Mennard Park where we had all those dances."

For full story: Download TheGoodDeath

Bio:Sue Mayfield Geiger writes and edits for regional and national publications, and lives on the Texas Gulf Coast. Her first book of prose and verse (with photos) is now available. www.gibbonsstreet.com.  You can email comments to her at:  SMG

Missing Light

by Beth McKim (PDF reads better Download Missing Light )

At times I long to be young again ---

when a bright red pimple on my chin was ugly, not life-threatening
   and a friend falling was funny, not the beginning of the end---
when depression meant one night of tears and sad music,
not a debilitating disease---
while double vision meant too much to drink, not a brain tumor.
When a fat stomach meant too much lunch, not middle-aged spread
   and achy legs meant growing pains, not blood clots
     An elevated heart rate meant running too hard,
     not atrial fibrillation---
when late night phone calls meant a lover missed me, not a death
and losing a spouse meant a breakup, not a funeral.
 
And at other times I savor peace that comes with age and see new light.

 

Poet Bio:  Beth McKim lives in Houston with her husband and their Labradoodle, Lucy. She enjoys being a student of creative writing and Spanish. A former marathon runner and triathlete, Beth is still an avid swimmer and Yoga enthusiast. She particularly enjoys her part-time job as a medical actress and the time she spends with her new grandbabies.

Mind's Eye, by Carol J. Rhodes

            She sits and stares out the window
                    at the garden she once tended
                    trees she and her loved one
                         planted as newlyweds
                an old car in the driveway                   
                         where she left it years ago
                the rotting fence and gate
                        hanging by one hinge
                youngsters riding past on bicycles
                her cat prowling through
                       the tall grass.
                winter snow, spring rain,
                       summer flowers, falling leaves.

            All just a memory now
                    since time has taken her sight.

 For readable/printable version see  Download Mind's Eye

Author Bio: Carol J. Rhodes, a widow after 46 years of marriage to the most wonderful man in the world (she “was only 3 when we married”), lives in Houston, Texas with a household zoo of two poodles and four cats.  She plays bridge once a week, and always has an online Scrabble game going with her best friend.  She can be reached at: rhodes.cATatt.net

Mind's Eye

by Carol J. Rhodes


            She sits and stares out the window
                at the garden she once tended
                trees she and her loved one
                         planted as newlyweds
                an old car in the driveway                   
        where she left it years ago
                the rotting fence and gate
                    hanging by one hinge
                youngsters riding past on bicycles
                her cat prowling through
                    the tall grass.
                winter snow, spring rain,
                    summer flowers, falling leaves.

            All just a memory now
                since time has taken her sight.

Author, Carol Rhodes, a widow after 46 years of marriage to the most wonderful man in the world,  lives with a household zoo of two poodles and four cats,  plays bridge once a week, and always has an online Scrabble game going with her best friend. Her work, including short stories, essays, poetry, non-fiction, and plays, has appeared in numerous newspapers, magazines, journals, anthologies, and on-line publications. She may be reached at:  Email CJR.

Ageing II

Well Met
by
Peter Albertson

It was parents' weekend at Williams College in Williamstown, MA, and I was sitting at the bar of Isabella's, my favorite restaurant, in nearby North Adams, nursing my usual club soda. The place was jammed, with perhaps a dozen or more people waiting for tables.  A woman and her three companions came in.  I can't remember two of that party; but I remember sharply the entrance of this youngish middle-aged, handsome, African-American woman and her daughter... to read more see Download WELL MET

Note:  Albertson, "alone and palely loitering" in the Berkshires, describes this chance meeting in poignant detail.  You will enjoy reading more. He can be reached at PA:Email.  

Ageing I

Tomorrow by Jane Butkin Wagner

I'm not sure who pulled away first. Our visits more formal, less frequent, less natural now.  I cannot hear my children. I choose to smile and nod, inappropriately, rather than ask again and again for them to repeat themselves, only to hear one say are you annoying me on purpose?   I try to be a good sport and laugh, too, when they dissolve into laughter because my response has been an answer to a different question.

I am not sure when I turned into the old lady, the one with slow steps, bad eyes, and failing hearing. Into the target of laughs and rolling eyes from my own children, from other people's children... to read more Download Tomorrow 

Author Bio:  Poet, Jane Butkin Wagner is a  native of Oklahoma City who now lives with her husband in Houston and Oslo. She has three grown children.