I had agreed to do three things over the past 24 hours.  I gave my word, and I would have damaged myself emotionally if I’d pulled out of any of them.  I haven’t had much energy post-Covid but that’s not an excuse to drop away.

A.  I hosted a playreading last night

Eight of us gathered in my apartment to read “Death of a Salesman”.  I committed to the evening about two months ago.  People were counting on me.

I’d bought the scripts and thought about how we’d divide up the parts, especially the juicy ones like Willy Loman.  The play has two acts.  I divided each one in two … so four of us would have the chance to try on “the crumple-suited sales rep facing the abyss of obsolescence”.  That worked well.  And I thought each of us had the chance to really inhabit some classic characters in literature, to fall into the speeches and conversations.

I knew the play was a long one, and there had to be time for breaks and refreshments.  Plus I was aware that if we ended pushing against midnight, my fellow readers would be scrambling for last trains and buses.  Happily it worked.

B.  I attended an Evolutionary Collective Zoom meeting

A group of us within the EC have taken on a heightened commitment.  We’ve agreed to attend a 90-minute meeting “early” on a Thursday or “later” on the next Thursday.  Since most of our members are in North America, the times are friendlier there.

Bottom line: last Thursday was 6:30 to 8:00 pm for me.  Many months ago, I asked my friend Sarah when her next dance recital was.  The answer was Thursday, October 24.  I agreed to go … and I loved it.

So, to keep my word to the EC, I was online for our Zoom meeting last night from 1:00 to 2:30 am.  No big deal.  I simply did what I said I’d do.

C.  I had an esophagus procedure done at the hospital today

This was the date I was given several weeks ago.  This time it was keeping my word with me and my health.  I showed up at AZ Sint-Lucas at 9:15 am and was heading home by 1:00.

The doctor put a long “snake” down my esophagus and into the stomach to investigate my swallowing problem.  I was asleep.  Thank God for general anaesthetic.

The result?  There’s a fungus growing in my esophagus, restricting the passage.  I’m now well equipped with medication to deal with the situation.  I can see French fries returning to my life soon!  (Except don’t call them that in Belgium)

***

I knew the past few hours would be challenging

I knew I would get the job done

And I knew my bed would be waiting at the end of it all