About six months later, my book The Art of Getting Well came out, published by a small company in Alameda, CA. We had the book release party across the street from the Y, in a meeting room they called the Senior Annex. About 50 people showed up, including maybe 15 of my water runners, and as part of my talk, I told them this story. People were crying; I could tell many were really touched.
Three days later, though, I found out I hadn’t understood my own story at all. I was more clueless than they were. Linda came up to me in the pool and asked, “David, don’t you recognize how much your coming meant to us? I mean, I could see how you were struggling, but you didn’t quit. So how could I quit? And when you start to improve, to move faster, that makes me feel good and encourages me to work harder. So thank you for giving us all this credit, but, you know, ‘right back at you.’
I was shocked. I had never thought of what Linda said before. It made sense, but I tried to fight it off. It was hard for me to give myself the kind of credit she was asking me to give. Like most of us, I tend to downplay or ignore my own value. I was thinking that my worth depended on the wisdom I could share, the minds I could change, the stories I told, the people I could help. I didn’t understand that my being present, just showing up with people and letting them know I cared was the most valuable thing I could do. And it was enough.
.Note: A version of this article first appeared in my column on Diabetes Self-Management. Com.
Nice story, David. We certainly live in an interactive world. One never knows how you might be affecting others. The best thing to do is keep your eye on the sparrow and do good works and don’ t quit. Later, Toni
Lovely essay, David. Thanks for calling attention to it. – Ellen
Happy to see this published!
David, I am so glad you still have your earthly body among us others with earthly bodies, and that it allows you to think and write and reflect – and inspire us. Thank you.
David,
I once read a quote (can’t remember from who): “90% of life is just showing up”. Or something to that effect. This has been validated countless times in my personal experience, most recently by you showing up for me just when I needed it. I can only hope to return in kind.
Affectionately,
DJ
Oh David, this is so inspiring! I find that all of your writing creates a place called “hope” even when you tell a story that has sadness in it! Thank you so much for finding a way to point out the rainbows, the sun, and to tell stories with such sincerity and poetry that my world feels better for having read your work! You are a special person!
Thank you, sweetheart. Your essay helped me let loose a few drops of purifying saline. And inspires me to write some stories of my own. (Or have them ghostwritten. ;^)
wow, David- your writing presence is so real and lovely. thank you very much for messages of hope you send to others in many and various ways. you make a difference- what is better than that
David, it’s been a long time since we talked on the phone about my cardiac support program-like 2 years. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of knowing part of your journey. This is especially meaningful to me as I have had to leave the spin bike, tread mill and walking up hills. I am now part of a water aerobics group that is having the same positive effect as your group did. How blessed we are to have options. Thank you so much for your gift and ability to share.
Hi David,
Thank you for sharing your story and insights. It is a powerful reminder about the effects of presence and being one’s self.
I can relate. Group effect cannot be underestimated.
David,
I only hope I gave my clients the same inspiration you give me.
It is the one thing I miss about not seeing patients. They helped me as much as they told me I helped them.
David, I enjoyed reading your essays. Nice writing style. You might enjoy my son’s limericks written under his blog name, Dr. Goose. They are usually about the finance industry. I found that I’ve saved over 150 of them so I am now printing out my own little booklet. Your prose has inspired me to try selling short stories again.
This was a great story. Just like a nurse, I say, as one. We want to be on the “helping others” side, and have a hard time accepting our own worth. I love your website, and the idea behind it. Write-on!
David, thanks very much for sharing this beautiful story!
It means a lot to me and other readers.
And Blessings to both you and your wife Aisha, David!