Epitaph for the Madman

I found myself, a couple of months ago, in a odd situation.

After what seemed like a “normal”, albeit very uncomfortable, bout of self-diagnosed food poisoning, I ended up being admitted to the hospital.

Sparing you the details, I must say that it is a very strange place to be—both physically, then mentally—when you hear a doctor speak to you about being in a life-threatening condition, and what “could have happened if any more time went by”.

After 8 days, I have a new appreciation for the dedicated nurses that helped me while I was there. I will say that they did get a kick out of me, as I was not a “normal” patient—up early, dressed, not in bed, but reading my Kindle with my iPod on in the mornings, or strolling around the halls taking my IV drip for a walk, but most of all, with my laptop at a makeshift desk, working. Great wi-fi signal at the hospital, by the way...

While I was there, I didn't think too much about anything but going home. After having a couple of months to reflect, I have thought about quite a few things.

I've never been one to think or speak too much about death. It was also never mentioned in our family growing up. I was once visiting Penny Terwilliger and her family in Iowa, and was floored to hear a rollicking discussion about “who gets what” when family members were gone! After I got married, my father-in-law was always talking about his demise—mostly in a comic way, but sometimes very seriously, when it came to planning, financial arrangements and the like.

I think it is a healthy thing to discuss in a family—it certainly doesn't mean that it needs to be dwelled upon, but a healthy discussion, with some humor is not a bad thing.

As for myself, I have actually thought a bit about my legacy for when I leave the planet. As I reflect about my life so far, my assessment is that I've done an OK job living up to my own expectations—not a gold star mind you, but not terrible.

As I think about how I’d like to be remembered by those that I’ve had contact with, I’d be very happy if they would think about me and say “He was a good guy”.

-M