The well spring of strength

[Jeremy Stewart]

I have just suffered my 4th cardiac arrest, heart attack or whatever you want to call it. Wednesday last week after teaching a class. However that is not the focus of what I am about to write. At 40 I had my first two and the specialists all were of the opinion I may last to 50. At 45 I had my 3rd one, that one they had to "zap" me and then CPR. At 48 comes number 4. This associated with chronic back pain and a compromised left leg, from spinal surgery, has made life very challenging to say the least. So as 50 looms so near in the future, I have a few things to ponder.

Now that the back story is complete, I would like share with you (aside from my wife and my own strength), the single most important soul enabling me to continue and strive for life, is Jack,he is a 4 year old magpie. My wife and I rehabilitate birds and other animals, with the view to release. However, Jacky Boy is different, he can't be. We estimate he was a week old when we were handed him as a rescue bird. He had a broken wing and a broken leg. Over the course of the last 4 years, he's under gone an amputation and complications that have nearly killed him.

Where I am going this story, is simple. This little creature whom I am convinced has a soul, who has showed such toughness and a will to live and thrive and is so loving, came into our lives and provided me in particular a totem. A totem representing, strength, will and compassion. In a lot of ways I credit him with saving my life. If he could struggle through, then why couldn't I?

So, I wish to pose this question, do any of you guys out there, have or hold something so dear to you, that in times of need may seem to be your only salvation?

Edited July 29, 2019 by Jeremy Stewart

[Tyler Byers]

I carry my memorial bracelet everywhere. My buddy Zac Tomzcak was KIA September 25th, 2007. That day turned into a massive firefight last lasted for an initial six hours pinning down and entire platoon and went on for the next two days. I carry it with me to not only honor and remember him, but also to remind myself how precious every day is and to be grateful for the time we have. He was 23. 

Best wishes to you and your family. I hope you will keep surprising your doctors and prove to them how strong a fighting spirit can be. Hang in there.

[Jeremy Stewart]

6 hours ago, Tyler Byers said:

fighting

Best wishes to you and your family. I hope you will keep surprising your doctors and prove to them how strong a fighting spirit can be. Hang in there.

Thanks Tyler. I've always been interested in the ways people devine strength.  Most of one's strength must be internal, but I believe strength can be helped by realizing it in other things, be they inanimate or alive and respecting that strength. Alot of people look at me like a space cadet when I try to articulate this emotion.

Anything that I would have to say about the sacrifice your mate made, would not do it justice. Same goes for the amount of respect I have for armed service personnel in general. Words don't do your service justice. In Australia we say "Lest we forget " as an admonition to  ourselves not to forget the service of young men and women to the country they love.

On a lighter note, I have every intention of hanging on. The Grim Reaper is gonna have to fight a bit harder to get what he wants. As long as my Jacky Boy is by my side, I'll be ok...... needless to say when I got home from hospital he chastised me for being away.

[Jeremy Stewart]

6 hours ago, Tyler Byers said:

I carry my memorial bracelet everywhere. My buddy Zac Tomzcak was KIA September 25th, 2007. That day turned into a massive firefight last lasted for an initial six hours pinning down and entire platoon and went on for the next two days. I carry it with me to not only honor and remember him, but also to remind myself how precious every day is and to be grateful for the time we have. He was 23. 

Best wishes to you and your family. I hope you will keep surprising your doctors and prove to them how strong a fighting spirit can be. Hang in there.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

For your friend, Tyler. It's called the Ode to Rememberance. It come from a First World War poem called, For the Fallen. It's the fourth stanza of the poem, and is said every evening at 6pm in Returned Servicemens League establishments. And most poignantly on ANZAC day.

[Tyler Byers]

2 hours ago, Jeremy Stewart said:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

For your friend, Tyler. It's called the Ode to Rememberance. It come from a First World War poem called, For the Fallen. It's the fourth stanza of the poem, and is said every evening at 6pm in Returned Servicemens League establishments. And most poignantly on ANZAC day.

Awesome, I haven't heard of this before. I'll look up the whole poem and check it out. Thanks

[Jeremy Stewart]

16 hours ago, Tyler Byers said:

Awesome, I haven't heard of this before. I'll look up the whole poem and check it out. Thanks

Cool, mate.

[Jeremy Stewart]

Taught my first class, post heart attack, today. Struggled a bit with the breathing but all things considered,  I reckon I pulled up ok.

[MadelineGrace]

Glad to hear you’re back to teaching and your class went well !

[Jeremy Stewart]

15 hours ago, MadelineGrace said:

Glad to hear you’re back to teaching and your class went well !

Thank you.