🌊 Day 134 Ocean Swim - A Visit with Neighbor Bob - Ocean Swim Series

🌊 I visited my neighbor Bob today at the convalescent home. I’ve been visiting Bob every weekend since I learned he’d likely never come home. We had a good talk. I brought him a package of sliced watermelon from Trader Joes after first clearing the food with the nurse who checked for dietary restrictions. Bob told me last week he likes watermelon.
Bob was watching Star Wars when I came in. He didn’t bother hitting pause when he saw me, which was telling. The bed next to him was empty, though someone was resting there quiet and still last week. Bob and I had the room to ourselves. He didn’t talk about coming home during today’s visit-a first. Instead, we talked about his life, and he spoke of his parents, his career and the places on the west coast of California and Oregon where he’d been and liked. Bob asked me if my family was gone to Japan. “Not yet” I said. Adding, “I think I’m ready.” Bob seemed ready, too… More ready than last week, or the week before.
Star Wars was over when I left, and Bob turned with seeming indifference to whatever was on TV next, slowly opening the package of sliced watermelon and picking up his plastic fork to dig in.
#GoingAlone #AlwaysReadyToDie
🌊 On Day 134 of the Ocean Swim Series, our journey takes a turn towards the deeply personal as we visit Bob, a neighbor residing in a convalescent home. Our regular visits have become a beacon of companionship and reflection, especially since learning that Bob may never return home. This day was marked by a heartwarming exchange and a simple act of kindness: bringing Bob his favorite, a package of sliced watermelon from Trader Joe’s, after ensuring it met his dietary needs.
Our conversation didn’t touch on the prospect of returning home; a notable shift. Instead, Bob shared memories of his life, his family, his career, and his cherished times along the coasts of California and Oregon. This shift in focus seemed to reflect a deeper acceptance and readiness for whatever lies ahead. As Bob turned to his watermelon, the quiet of the room was filled with more than just the background noise of a TV switching from Star Wars to the next program-it was filled with a sense of peace and readiness for whatever comes next, both for Bob and for ourselves as we contemplate our upcoming journey to Japan.
Join us in this reflective episode as we explore the themes of companionship, acceptance, and the poignant moments that weave the fabric of our lives. 🍉🌌
🌊 Get your copy of Going Alone at this link (the hardcover edition is recommended) and delve deeper into the philosophy of embracing life’s challenges and finding peace in solitude. 🤠🏜️☀️
➡️ a.co/d/6SORY8N
🌐 Website: goingalone.org
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Be safe… But not too safe.
#OceanSwimSeries #Day134 #NeighborBob #Companionship #Reflection #Acceptance #Peace #GoingAlone #AlwaysReadyToDie 🌊🍉🌌
CREDITS:
“Japanese Falls” image: Lane Brown | View More: lanebrownart.blogspot.com/p/po...
“Song For Kurt” theme: Nowherians | Listen Here: nowherians.bandcamp.com/