The summer of 2026 brought a lot of pain for me, but it also brought healing, reflection, and new happiness.
At forty-nine years old, and twenty-four years into a career, I found myself with some city miles on my engine, and the "check engine" light started flashing. Some of my bad habits caught up with me - I suffered serious illness that I think was brought on by stress, depression, and lifestyle choices.
Almost simultaneously, I received some excellent help from folks that helped me find a pathway out of this mess. With their guidance, I regained motivation to tackle my health problems and I learned how to be kinder to myself and more grateful for the amazing people and world around me.
One of those engine lights that came on was an old hernia that needed surgery. I'm grateful for and astounded by all of people and technology that came together to allow this surgery to happen: thinking backward from the robotic arthroscopic device that repaired the hernia, to the surgeon that led the procedure, then to the nurses that prepared me for surgery, and then to the anesthesiologist who kept me pain-free during, and the reception staff and volunteers and finally to everyone who trained all of these people - it's amazing how interconnected and interwoven humanity is, and the capability we have through our connection.
As I recovered at home at the beginning of autumn, I found a silver lining: more time to reconnect with my family and friends, and a glimpse of what a life could be, post-career. For this opportunity, I'm thankful. I'm blessed to have people (and other creatures) in my life that took care of me when I couldn't do things for myself.
Amazingly, some of the suffering I experienced seemed like a necessary part of this journey. Nothing good in life comes easily, I guess, but I would not have found my path without the pain.
I admit missing my old skin, now marked by several surgical scars. Consider, though, what scars really are: organic tissue, built by the universe itself, to mend our wounds and strengthen the injured area. These scars will always remind me of this magical time in my life, when the engine broke down, and, exiting the highway, I found a new path to travel.
Jeff Woodman | SFNM