As I sit in my father-in-law's hospital room in the Medical Telemetry Unit, I can gaze out the window toward Anaheim Stadium.
Beyond it, I can see the outline of the Matterhorn.
The Park is so near, yet seems far away.
Funny how a loved one spending two months (and counting) in a hospital can keep your heart's attention.
I'll never lose the spot in my heart for the Park, of course.
Looking at my blog's Sitemeter numbers drop from a cliff, and finally having the forethought to bring my laptop with me, I make a small vow to try clicking out an entry today.
I feel I've been gone so long.
Returning to the blog for a few moments after almost a month away is at once alien and familiar.
I'm a member of the Lost Safari, finally stumbling back into camp years after having left it. Groggy eyes find my Jeep overturned, my provisions ravaged and my tent mildewed and discolored from years of exposure to the Jungle. No sign of the others.
My arms and legs ache from endlessly clinging to the pole above that damned rhino. The pith helmet smells of sweat. The monocle has rusted in its metal frame. The khakis are threadbare in places. I have lost so much weight, my knees are knobbed and skin hangs from sallow cheeks.
It is a burden to breathe in this oppressive humidity.
What happened here?
Ammo boxes are torn open. Rounds are scattered everywhere.
Rusted pots. A cracked bottle of ether.
Specimen boxes and brittle butterflies.
The green and muddy river gurgles past the bank below.
The sounds of jungle fauna and distant drums form a white noise about me. It echoes in my ears.
I know those sounds so well.
Yet they are dreamlike in this moment. Different.
Eyes struggle to focus as my head throbs.
Sleep comes - fitful and then deep.
I know that I shall wake and then I shall continue my journey back.
Back to the dock.
To the Bazaar.
To the Treehouse.
To Adventureland and beyond.
Until then, my loyal four (4) friends and readers, hang in there with me.
Know that I am making my way home.
Soon enough, I'm sure, I'll be rounding the bend toward Trader Sam, casting him a happy smile as he raises a handful of heads toward my boat.
---Mike
17 comments:
Hang in there!
Mike, take all the time you need. We'll be waiting for our skipper, crocodile wrestler, snake charmer, and marriage counselor when you return. You are precisely where you need to be right now, and that is all that matters.
Sure, we miss you - but you're doing what you need to do. Good thought and white light being sent your way.
We HAVE missed you!! Sending our thoughts and prayers to your family. We'll be here, adoring the lions watching over the sleeping zebra :)
Best wishes to your father in law, and we all miss you over here on this corner of the internet. And I just wanted to let you know that every time I go to Disneyland, I wear my jungle is 101 shirt and I get lots of nice comments about it.
I got really excited when someone was taking a picture of Peter Pan and got the back of the shirt in the picture!
http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lgjmcuTCMK1qaczmbo1_500.png
Great post, and best wishes to you and your Dad.
Mike,
I'm sending prayers your way. Take all the time you need.
Jon
Good to hear from you. Here's hoping things work out for the best...it's hard to wait and wait and wait like that.
Good luck.
The JC will remain out there for you. All you need to do now and then is to just dream. More important things to do at the moment.
#4
Thinking of you and your dad, Mike.
Chris, Ryan, Connie, Zeke, Anne, Melissa, Jonathan, Okie, Anonymous and Yellows:
Thank you! You've all been here with me for quite a while. Those positive thoughts and prayers are so very much felt and appreciated. I am glad you each stopped by and posted a note!
---Mike
Thanks for all of the great messages at Jungle 101. Your family needs you now. Prayers to them. I will be waiting for the return of the great Jungle Skipper whenever the time comes for your return. Take care.
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Hey...there's more than 4 readers!! Hi Mom!
Sending prayers to you and your family. Take all the time you need, I'll keep you on my favorites tab and keep checking in until then.
. I really appreciate the points you made. I don’t think I’ve actually thought about it in that way. I can really appreciate how you approached the subject matter and what you said really gave me a new perspective.
Just checking to say hello. That's all. Hope you are well.
JG
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