A Love Dance of Hope [22/11/]

Six months have passed since my last blog. I'm reminded it is useful to pause and take stock now and then.

Since June, my life has been dominated by increasing physical disability and pain. It crossed my mind I could be following a similar pattern of decline experienced by a beloved sister who died three years ago from cancer. But a recent x-ray has shown this not to be the case. The pain in my lower back and left leg is caused by osteoarthritis of the hip joint. A hip replacement operation has been recommended by the specialist I consulted.

Fortunately for me, I have a generous brother. Actually he's my only brother, and he's supporting me to have the operation done as soon as possible. I have not had medical insurance since I gave up clinical practice in 2012. If I was to use the current public health system in New Zealand, the operation would probably not be performed for another three years. As it is I am expecting to be operated on early in 2023, and should be ready to walk and dance again a few months after that.

Which brings me to the event which prompted me to write this blog. I travelled south to the city of Wellington to spend a few nights with my brother and his wife. They had arranged a birthday dinner treat for me to include my granddaughter, Imogen. Imogen is currently living in Wellington while she undertakes doctorial research at the Wellington University. Consequently I was sleeping in a guest room at my brother's house when I had a strange, out-of-body experience. It began when I woke suddenly in the early hours of my birthday. No, I wasn't in pain. No, I didn't need to use the bathroom. Feeling a little perplexed, I said a brief prayer and fell back to sleep. Then I had a dream, which I will recount for for you.

I am attending a sumptuous celebration. The location is like a film set for a period drama. There are many guests, elegantly attired, chatting in groups, while waiters mingle with trays of drinks and plates of finger food. A band is playing softly beside an empty dance floor. I don't see any faces I recognize. Nevertheless, I feel sufficiently confident to approach several different gentlemen. Each time I am met with the same rebuttal. "I can't dance with you. You have no money." I am at loss what to do next when a handsome stranger enters the room. He is tall and slim, with a shock of auburn hair. He is wearing the white cassock of a priest over his evening clothes and has make-up on his face. He strides towards me with open arms. "Come dance with me, money isn't important." He takes me in his arms, and we waltz to the music. Round and round we spin. I feel light, free, ecstatic. I become aware we are no longer earth bound. We are dancing our way to the heavens.

The dream has a profound effect on me. When I wake, I make the decision to remain single (there has been another option on offer), and to use what time is left to me to write more books.
   

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