Think About It. Organ Recital. For my annual eye exam the doctor requires completion of a Medical History Questionnaire. It provides an opportunity to recall all the procedures which have altered my body, mind and spirit over eight decades. It occurs to me that nobody else in the world cares. I don’t mean that people are indifferent to others’ ills. It’s just that even the once delicate and dramatic life saving invasions of our flesh have become routine.
Maybe nobody was ever interested. My mother, a minister’s wife, coming home from a church ladies luncheon, wished she never had to hear another “organ recital”. Admittedly the popular internal troubles of that day were more revolting. Ever hear of goiters? Iodized salt seems to have made them go away.
Under the guise of acknowledging the medical miracles that have extended my life and style, even I have provided a concert. One of the many physicians I occasionally visit, recently said I wouldn’t have his specialty’s malady if I just hadn’t lived so long. At birth, my life expectancy was 59. Babies in the United States in 2016 can plan to be around ’til age 79. Start out in Monaco and bask in the Mediterranean sun for an additional ten years because of the “quality of life”. Ukraine is 69, Zimbabwe 59, and Chad (another African country) is 49. Aren’t you glad you asked?
But we digress. The truth is that through scientific research and lots of trial and error, we have arrived at a time when altering the course of historic internal failure is such a normal part of life that it’s hard to be impressed by anyone’s miracle.
You don’t have to listen, and sadly there is no musical background, but sing along if you know these lyrics. It started with the insertion of intraocular lenses to replace the blinding cataracts. Later a heart bypass made up for years of good (bad?) living. Reaming of carotids, carving out cancer and limiting leukemia keep me in enviable good health. I know there are more but I forgot the words.
It just isn’t fair that of all people I should wander the earth in such a state of physical and perhaps even mental well-being. But, I accept my fate with pleasure and gratitude. Hiking, bridge, love of extraordinary family, and now writing provide for me a life I never dreamed.
Oh, I almost forgot a recent life-extending addition, a pacemaker helping me keep ticking at 85.
And now for the sake of a word-weary world, I promise never again to give an Organ Recital. Think About It. ……. or not.