Imagine the Possibilities

Last week I sat with my husband in the surgical area of our local hospital as he was being prepped for a double knee replacement. I listened to all the instructions with him – another set of ears to aid in understanding and question making. I sat with him through some brief physical therapy, silently listening and watching. What else should I be doing, I wondered?  We heard from nurses, doctors, therapists, and social workers as his plan of treatment was presented, then changed, and one night away from home stretched to two, then three, now six nights. At one point someone reminded me that I needed to act as his advocate. Those few words helped me to better understand my role in his care.

Advocacy is something that has come up quite a bit recently. Over the last several weeks I have written more letters, sent more emails, and made more phone calls to public officials than I ever have in the past. True, I have always supported various education causes and written the occasional postcard when asked, but somehow now it feels different. I feel the sense of urgency to support causes I care about in many different areas of my life. I am motivated and encouraged by those who are not afraid to take action and raise their voices. Although I have been disappointed in some of the responses I have received, I know that the answer is to keep going and not give up.

Being an advocate extends throughout all areas of life. We can’t be afraid to speak up and take action when it involves friends, family, causes we care about, or truths we believe. Advocacy is more than just political action. It is ensuring that our world becomes a better place for all.

And my husband? He was sidelined briefly with a medical issue which is now resolved, therapy has resumed, and he should be home within a day or two (that is what I am advocating for).

Robin’s egg, peacock

Imperial, royal

Ocean, aquamarine.

Lapis and sapphire

Persian, Egyptian

Cyan

            Slate

                        Steel

Blue is the sky.

Blue is the ocean.

But where is a blue that is true?

The boat churned through the deep waters of the western Caribbean. It was the last day of a week-long cruise and I was mesmerized by the sight before me – blue on blue of ocean and sky stretching for miles and miles. That was it, just ocean and sky as far as the eye could see, but yet so many distinct hues. How many shades of blue are there? I wondered. Could I name 25, 50? It was a challenge. I must admit I got a little help from an internet search, but in the end I came up with at least 50, although some may be different names for the same shade of blue.

Some blues are influenced by places like Egyptian blue, Honolulu blue, Persian blue, or Catalina blue. Of course there is sky blue, but also Italian sky blue, French sky blue, and Spanish sky blue. Does the sky look different depending on where you are in the world? I found many references to flowers or other objects in nature – bluebonnet blue, cornflower blue, robin’s egg blue, peacock blue, aquamarine, blizzard blue, and a personal favorite…bubbles. There is a Navy blue, and also an Airforce blue. There is Yankee blue and Dodger blue, imperial blue and royal blue. And let’s not forget the jewels – lapis, turquoise, and sapphire. I got lost in imagining so many different shades!

Today it is not blue I’m thinking of, but gray…because it’s February, and I’m in Pennsylvania. Hmmm…50 shades of gray could take on a whole new meaning.