May 25, 2014

"My fit of illness had been an avenue between two existences; the low-arched and darksome doorway, through which I crept out of a life of old conventionalisms..."

"... on my hands and knees, as it were, and gained admittance into the freer region that lay beyond. In this respect, it was like death. And, as with death, too, it was good to have gone through it. No otherwise could I have rid myself of a thousand follies, fripperies, prejudices, habits, and other such worldly dust as inevitably settles upon the crowd along the broad highway, giving them all one sordid aspect before noon-time, however freshly they may have begun their pilgrimage in the dewy morning."

Ever been sick like that? 

20 comments:

rhhardin said...

That was before aspirin.

Carol said...

No, but I loved Blithedale Romance! What a great send up of dopey liberal utopias.

sinz52 said...

Oh, yes.

After I was diagnosed with a life-threatening chronic illness, I decided that I had effectively died that day, and that I now had a new identity and a new life.

I felt very much like the guy in the Frankenheimer thriller "Seconds," leaving my old life behind forever.

MathMom said...

Yes. From June 2011 through October 2011 it was bad, but has been slowly getting better the last two years.

For several months I couldn't sleep at night because of the torment. After about a year I was able to get through the day without a nap.

David said...

Was this love sickness or the biological kind. Actually I've been that sick with both kinds.

traditionalguy said...

It happens to the best of us. Four years ago my old life iwas all effort and competition, but then death and a new life became like a pleasant Sabbath of life. Rest gives us time to think.

Getting through that transition took faith in God and some internet friends too. Ann and Meade helped me through it more than I can express. They were always there sharing their intelligence and basic kindness to me. Crack Emcee was also a great friend when I needed one.

Ann Althouse said...

"No, but I loved Blithedale Romance! What a great send up of dopey liberal utopias."

I know! This book should be a much bigger deal.

I linked to a free download.

Come on everybody, get with the "Blithedale Romance" craze!

Ann Althouse said...

Are you creeping out of a life of old conventionalisms?!

Dr Weevil said...

Too late now, but last Monday (the 19th) was the 150th anniversary of Hawthorne's death. No, I didn't notice any commemorations on the web either.

LYNNDH said...

No, not yet. But my PSA is fast approaching 4.

Maybe helping my Dad through his final illness helps me some.

Ann Althouse said...

I think the observance of death days is kind of bad.

caplight45 said...

Ann said: Are you creeping out of a life of old conventionalisms?!

Yes, and a decided yes at that. (I thought of ending that sentence with an exclamation point but it seemed to indicate too much enthusiasm for the experience. It is a shame we don't have a punctuation mark to express something that is settled truth and profound for an individual like the old biblical, "Verily, I say..." I would have used it).

Ann Althouse said...

Hey, caplight!

Hope all is well.

Are you arriving at new conventionalisms or shedding conventionalism altogether?

Nichevo said...

How about you, Ann? Anything terrible happening to you? I've often thought it would improve you. And as above, I see you understand what I mean.

caplight45 said...

How about unconventional conventionalisms?

I believe I have concluded that I am most comfortable as an "outsider" and actually make my best contributions to people and groups from that vantage point. It keeps them off balance in a productive way. Even though conventions serve a purpose, can if you imagine if you functioned within the conventionalisms(and therefore predictability) of a typical university professor? Your writing has not only interest but your voice has power precisely because of the lack of conventionalisms in my opinion. I am drawn here over the years because I never quite know where you will land on an issue.
Now if you will excuse me I must put on my plaid cargo shorts to go honor the graves of some fallen men of the Civil War.

Ann Althouse said...

"Getting through that transition took faith in God and some internet friends too. Ann and Meade helped me through it more than I can express. They were always there sharing their intelligence and basic kindness to me. Crack Emcee was also a great friend when I needed one."

This is good to read.

William said...

Fitzgerald said that the two great gifts were sexual magnetism and great wealth. Fitzgerald claimed that he possessed the two lesser gifts of good looks and intelligence. Me, I was given robust health and a durable back. When younger, I never thought those gifts were anything special, but I can see now that they were truly glittering prizes.......I've reached the age where people don't die tragically, but die because that's what happens when you get old. If you get that far without undue pain or disability, you're one of the privileged.

Ann Althouse said...

"I believe I have concluded that I am most comfortable as an "outsider" and actually make my best contributions to people and groups from that vantage point."

Good to figure out where you belong even if it is in unbelonging.

"It keeps them off balance in a productive way."

Seems Jesus-y!

"Even though conventions serve a purpose, can if you imagine if you functioned within the conventionalisms (and therefore predictability) of a typical university professor? Your writing has not only interest but your voice has power precisely because of the lack of conventionalisms in my opinion."

Thanks. I'm doing what feels right for me, and I'm glad it works for some readers.

"Now if you will excuse me I must put on my plaid cargo shorts to go honor the graves of some fallen men of the Civil War."

Okay, man in shorts.

Amy said...

Yes. Going through cancer treatment will do that to you. I made a lot of changes and look at life very differently now. Sounds cliche - and I would have thought so too, had I not experienced it.

Mark said...

I was ill enough late last fall that the doctors treating me had that conversation with my wife about whether she knew how I felt about heroic measures.

For me it's like I now live two lives; one that has me in it as an active participant and one in which I'm a ghost watching another me live my life. It's a very odd feeling, and I'm not sure what to do with the perspective.