Thanksgiving and more

Greetings on this Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  It has been some time since the last entry and much has transpired between now and the summer.  Healing continues with the last hard areas in reduction and closure nearly complete.  Lotion is still my friend and the compression garments still a part of the wardrobe.  I will likely wear them until they finally wear out, that will be through the winter and am hopeful to shed them before the summer if possible.  They have become somewhat second nature and definitely are helpful as extra "skin" when active.  It will be a certain naked adjustment as those become less necessary in the next year of recovery.  The scars will become softer and more flexible as it feels a bit tight for "normal" skin.  It is definitely leaps and bounds better than last year at this time.

I am very thankful for all the support of community, friends and family during this period of transition.

In the future (near future, perhaps late spring) I hope to continue in earnest to create further event and non-profit effort to assist other burn survivors, local fire prevention efforts and facilitate fund raising through the Burned Man organization.  It has been in potential phase as I get back into the swing of things.  It has taken a while to get grounded again and grok on the direction of life work.  A future benefit is being planned that will hopefully be supportive to both individual survivor's support as well as a community event to support prevention/ rescue efforts.  There is more good work to do, helping.

Activity has been first with the familiar.  I find that with deliberate effort in creating things as well as working with my trades skills first there has been a return to confidence.  I do remember the days that my radar for self protection was very acute.  Now I am feeling more comfortable with physical risks.

The summer and fall had opportunity to finally get out beyond the local surroundings.  This included reaching out for work both at the museum and for private home owners.  Some creative design and art works have been offered in public venues.  In short I'm actually getting the psyche as well as the physical stretched and working again closer to what I remember myself  being capable.  There are some limits but the anxiousness of will is starting to surge.  Thankful for that too!

The travel has increased as well.   The location in France offered by a good friend at the benefit last year was bid on and received by 6 other friends.  They then invited us to share that time with them there.  The result was a rendezvous for (at one time up to ten people) a truly unique visit to a beautiful area of Provence in south eastern France in late September.  Beth and I were lucky to block and plan that time with extra time in New York City on both sides of the French adventure.  New York is one of my favorite towns and we saw and did many unique things there.  We even got to spend a few precious days in Paris strolling seeing and absorbing the city of light with our good friend Trish, (she inspired this very special opportunity along with the others that journeyed with us).  We were able to see quite a bit of the city center with art and society and architecture to fill the memory banks.  A truly unique time that resonates now and will for the rest of my days.  The fast trains and good mass transit really made it easy to get around the big cities.

I always have enjoyed travel.  It does give me the thought to incorporate more of it in my work ahead.  The only problem with that is that home is also a great and wonderful spot to be filled with the special people and community that exists here.  If only there were two of me.....

With the next holiday crashing in quickly, there is much to do.  I get to help with a church nativity scene set up.  Create a bit of landscape and access for a friend's a yard in Oakland.  Help to reinforce another home or two for safety and improvement with those owners.  Get the Christmas thoughts and offerings out there in the ether and more.  I'm sure it is similar for all of you as well.  We look forward to the visits from folks we know and going to see them.  It is great to be getting back to enjoying the fine fruits of still being quite alive.  Best of tidings to all whom may check in to this offering.

It is now time for me to consider splitting some more firewood for the upcoming winter season.  Every day is now about planning for extended activity rather than constantly concerned about health advocacy and recovery.  These are still big deals that will always be part of consciousness into the future.  The change in participation is most welcome.

Thank you again for the supportive gestures of these past 17 months.  Things are much better and I will be working on improving in all areas.  What a long strange trip this is and has been.  The time has been filled with pathos, wonder, whim and appreciation for both the extraordinary and the mundane.
More on another entry.
Glenn