In the late 1980’s a new craze was unleashed upon popular culture. Children and adults alike started spending hours pouring over books filled with crowded pictures looking for Waldo. Waldo was a strange looking man with a unique red and white striped shirt and blue pants. Waldo was not often easy to find. You could spend lots of time looking at these crowded pictures and still not locate Waldo. All of this led to people asking time and time again, “Where’s Waldo?”
WHERE’S DAN?
A couple of you have asked a similar question recently, “Where’s Dan?” Why haven’t we heard anything from the blog? Does silence mean things are bad and you are not feeling up to writing? The truth is that I have been extremely busy the past few days and I have not taken the time to post anything. I have spent time in the office planning for the fall and beyond. Last week was filled with meetings talking about life, spirituality, and how we move in the midst of what are sometimes extremely difficult and hard situations. Last week was a good week. It was the first time I really felt like myself in a very long time. I was still very tired at the end of every day. I often needed a nap in the middle of the day. I missed a very important time of worship on Wednesday night because my body was screaming at me to stop and be still (I listened and went home when I really wanted to stay and be with those who do such a great job of leading us into the presence of God). Looking back I think the most exciting thing is that I did not feel like I was held hostage by “chemo brain” this past week. While I am not sure “chemo brain” is an official and formal medical term it is (in my humble opinion) a very real thing. Just as my body moves in slower and more deliberate ways my mind has not been as sharp. Remembering names, appointments, tasks that need to be accomplished have all taken a lot more effort than normal. Reading, something I used to enjoy, has become a chore. I have to really focus on what I am reading and there are times I have to read a paragraph two or three times to catch the authors point. This past week it felt as if “chemo brain” was releasing its grip on my mind. I am not sure that is reality, it was just how I experienced last week…and for that I praise God and am extremely thankful. [Read more…]
