When did you break out of your shell? As a previous;y painfully shy little kid, it was sixth grade for me. My chattiness and laughter resulted in being sent to stand in the corner by Sister Ignatius. I actually delighted to no longer fear my shadow. I discovered that the corner isn’t really a bad place to be. How so? Well, I now find myself in the corner all the time.
Tracy just completed a grueling year of treatments and is ready to get back to life. Sheepishly she offers, “Doc, my boyfriend left me, saying he’d had enough!” Seeing she was not terribly aggrieved, I offered,” Well, Tracy he was here for the rough months and maybe that is enough. Trust there will be others in your corner now and this frees up room”. Alice is estranged from her daughter who lives nearby. “Doc, my son offered to take me in so I am moving to Texas. I am happy to be with my grandchildren”. Fred’s ex-wife came back from New York to care for him in his last months. “Doc, she isn’t here for the money because I have none, but boy am I glad she can help and she’s not as mean anymore”. We take what we can get.
We all need someone in our corner- for life or for a time. It may be just through crisis, illness, schooling or transitions. It sometimes surprises who shows up. As a cancer specialist I am often looking for the support system. Investigating who is in their corner is necessary for healing. Minnie stopped by this week. She was treated years ago, and as a single mother brought her daughter along. Her visit was to tell me that she has now graduated college this year and is the one caring for Minnie.
My own life is filled with friends and family who have been and remain in my corner. Some cheerleaders- others with practical advice and skills. My own corner is blessedly crowded, but I am also standing in corners for patients, family and friends. You are too. Look into your own corner- you will find so very many there for you, as you are for them. Be amazed how people want to support and care for you and how your strength is needed by many. I never forgot Sister Ignatius and I appreciate that life changing year. Mostly I learned that the corner is often the perfect place to be.