Oh, the joy, the ecstasy! Who would have thought a piece of moulded plastic, with extendable parts, could be the source of so much pleasure. When my wife purchased it, she thought only of its utilitarian value; in no way could she have imagined the highs produced by this simple device. And the beauty of it is, no batteries required but, such pleasurable moistening!
Needless to say, the device could only be obtained from a shop specializing in such appliances. Where would we be without these specialist outlets?
For more months than I care to remember, a visit to the shower room was fraught with danger. If my beloved wasn’t around, there was no chance of me risking the experience; a sense of aching dis-equilibrium, of imminent collapse, made me fearful of stepping into the shower unattended. For far too long, my stubbornness resisted the beloved’s suggestion that some bath or shower aids would help. Personal hygiene was something reluctantly attended to. No matter how long the preceding period of bed-rest, by the time I’d showered and towelled I was so shattered that a further hours rest was called for before I could even consider the exertion required to clothe myself. Rather than being a refreshing experience, the effort involved ensured it was an extremely enervating one.
There are still many occasions when I seem to lack the necessary stamina to get into the shower-bath and, I’m ashamed to admit that showering is not a daily occurrence. Once in the shower though, the stable plastic seat has made a world of difference and, I revel in the warm soft needles of H2O as they caress and soothe my aching muscles.
These days, I can accomplish so much more than seemed possible even a few months ago and, for that I give thanks. I rejoice in the showers of blessing which make life so rich and wonderful. In everything give thanks.
- living and frequently struggling with moderate M.E. -
where (bad) health, faith, politics and the joys and troubles of daily life collide.
ME
2 comments:
Hi Malcolm
I saw this in this week's New Scientist and thought you might be interested. The interesting bit is towards the end of the article.
Diaries of Darwin's wife revealed
* 17 March 2007
* From New Scientist Print Edition.
What was it like living with Charles Darwin? The discovery of his wife's diaries in a chest of drawers belonging to their family has given us some glimpses. Spanning more than 60 years, they suggest a life dominated by illness.
Emma Darwin's diaries rarely mention her husband's research but record instead visits from friends and relatives, trips to the dentist, the weather and a constant stream of ailments that dogged her family.
In particular, they provide agonising insights on Charles's poor health, says Jim Moore, a historian of science at the UK's Open University, based in Milton Keynes. The detailed documentation of his symptoms is testimony to her unwavering support for him, he says, and show just how dependent he was on her. "It's as close as we can get to the sacred interiors of their relationship."
The entries reveal that the young Charles was already suffering soon after his return from the Beagle voyage and their marriage. Over the course of several months in 1840, for example, Emma described Darwin as "exhausted", "overtired + trembling", "languid" and suffering "great flatulence" (which then meant burping), symptoms that plagued him until his death more than 40 years later.
"It's amazing that we have an independent, lifelong record of the comings and goings of the Darwin family," says historian John van Wyhe of the University of Cambridge, who has made the documents available on Darwin Online (darwin-online.org.uk)
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for this article. Much appreciated.
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