BEHOLDEN
Appalachian mountain folks, among whom I grew up, used to make use of the term “to be beholden” a great deal.
Most of them,though somewhat lacking, perhaps,in the physical trappings that,so often accompany formal religion, were intensely religious. One of the first things they seemed to feel was that they were “beholden” to God for life itself and all the riches of family life in a land so rich with blessings, challenges and potential.
Once that basic sense of gratitude is established we can, as they did, turn to individuals who have meant something special in our lives. Our initial step in this direction is to remember what our parents did without on our behalf. We appreciate the goodness of favorite school teachers, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives of all sorts - a whole “tree” full of them. And,from time-to -time outsiders, almost total strangers, have influenced our lives, particularly in relation to our career potential.
I have added a new member in my group of people to whom I am “beholden” in my declining years. One never gets too old to do so,I have found. I am most grateful to at young lady who is a Heart Surgeon at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, who headed up a team of skilled and dedicated fellow doctors and technicians who provided me with additional years of living.
Moments after being unloaded from the “Pegasus” helicopter which brought me in, I felt the soft touch of her hands across the affected area where my abdominal aorta was on the verge of bursting. At that moment when her fingers touched me, I knew I had found the right person - among all people - who could bring me through it all. I was even more convinced later on when I had an honest, factual talk with her. She told me, very plainly what had to be done and what my chances were. I knew I was right where I was supposed to be at that moment in my life. That ls been several years ago, and I am more than ever beholden to that amazing team of doctors and to Dr. Nancy Harthun, in particular. She fashioned for me a new abdominal aorta out of,I understand, Dacron(R) material and, aside from being a bit pot-bellied on my port side I have been doing very well.
To help keep myself out of mischief, I started this daily TOPIC column on the Internet. And, thus it is that I am now “beholden” to each and every one of you who have helped me feel it has been a successful venture.
Thank you.
A.L.M. December 28,2003 [c647wds]
