11 April 2008

a time 'twixt


'twas the latter part of the year, two thousand and nought seven, when me fair lady was put under ye knife. the doctor scripted a fine letter detailing the source of her plague - a type of spot relating to her female body parts (please excuse my frankness, it is imperative that i be direct).

measures were undertaken to rid her frail and declining body of the scourge - and although i was not privy to the procedure, i am told that when they administered the smelling salts she succumbed rather quickly and that the skill of the surgeon saved her utterly and completely.

in the days following this trauma, her spirits were fine. dressed in her finery, she entertained callers of all kinds, riding up in their carriages to our stately mansion, where tea and cakes were prepared and ingested. fresh flora and fauna filled our parlor and drawing room.

buoyed spirits prevailed, and she gained her strength back rather quickly. mothering our loving and adoring three children, she glowed despite the toll taken on her female body. she grew strong and confident during this period, which i humbly refer to as the rose age.

whilst plying the jungles of africa, it was communicated to me that the good doctors felt it necessary to be more diligent, and to take further steps to guard and ensure her continued good health. my reply back from the continent was that this seemed to be a logical response.

crossing the atlantic gave me opportunity to steady my resolve in aiding with the situation at hand. as the waves pounded the bow of the ship, i was called to recollect the pounding of the drums in the eastern part of africa.

upon my return home, it was quickly decided that treatments should begin immediately, and should ensue until the time of the emergence of the first cherry blossom on the trees that line the beloved tidal basin in our nation's capital.

although this treatment, which involved leaches and other grim and unseemly methods, passed quickly, the toll taken on our family life was immense. a weakened and disoriented patient prevailed, causing alarm in the young children. i could see by the burning embers their concern as we regaled ourselves around the hearth.

me lady was barely able to drive her favorite steed during this period (we have since put down the beast, too ungainly for her at this point, and have replaced him with a fine young colt with a shiny red coat).

the result of all of this hullabaloo is the disruption of life which continues to this day. we find it difficult to fall into a peaceful routine, recognizing that during the initial trauma we were able to steady ourselves and even, at times, find humor in the details.

now, however, it is more tedious to climb the road back to those days of yore, a simpler time uncomplicated by the concerns of health and age. it has taken a toll which, dare i say, may take a fortnight to recover from.

thoughtfully and most sincerely yours,

h

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