Always more mystery
A close-up of one of the flowers in the picture I posted last week.
No matter how often I see them, they fill me with wonder.
“The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery.”― Anais Nin
One of my favorite people in this blog community frequently wishes me “a wonder-filled week.” I love it! The word wonderful is used so often that we tend to miss its root meaning, so I find her revision of the term an apposite way to wish someone the best. I think one of the nicest things we can wish each other is a wonder-filled week, or year, or life.
Nin is right; no matter how much we know, there are always more mysteries to wonder about. The daffodils that have been my lifelong favorite flower are a familiar sight, as I’ve planted so many of them over the years. But I never cease to be amazed at their delicate structure and sunny colors. Botanists can tell us all sorts of details of taxonomy, propagation and genetic modification, but those words never capture the pure delight of seeing these blooms appear every spring.
In a totally different corner of my world, I’m amazed by the advances in cardiology since Matt was born. Nearly 34 years ago, he was diagnosed with a complex heart defect that he likely would not have survived if he had been born a decade or so earlier. Through five open heart surgeries and counting, I’ve been stunned at what the doctors are able to do. Their procedures continue to evolve, rising to the challenge of Matt’s formidable cardiac anomalies in ways that are fascinating and encouraging.
This amazing wireless home monitor sends data from Matt’s pacemaker to his doctors, giving them a minute-by-minute account of how his heart has been doing.
Yet beyond all the scientific sophistication of their equipment and methodology, there is the abiding mystery of how they, and Matt himself, can remain so indefatigable and compassionate in the face of very difficult circumstances. In the midst of sorrow at all he has suffered, and the stress of wondering what lies ahead, there is the consoling experience of being filled with wonder at the divine blessings that come to us through the hands and hearts of people who know what to do, and more importantly, who genuinely care for him– and me.
All of us live in a wonder-filled world of manifold mystery. What are some of your favorite everyday wonders?
This post was first published seven years ago today. Since then, in 2023, Matthew endured his most formidable challenge yet, requiring his lengthiest open heart surgery. The doctors had warned me that this surgery would be so risky that they would never undertake it unless they were left no choice; not to do it would mean certain death, as compared to possible or even likely death. Yet Matthew pulled through– albeit with the longest recovery ever, including weeks on end of round-the-clock infusions at home– but the emotional turmoil was balanced by appreciation that we have not– so far– encountered a problem for which there was no solution, however risky.
The blog is not designed for viewing on cell phones, but you can get a less distorted version of the photos if you click on the “view on blog” link at the top right of the screen. The original post, comments and photo are linked, along with two other related posts, at the individual post views. These links to related posts, and their thumbnail photos, do not appear in the blog feed; they are only visible when viewing the individual posts by clicking on each one. I have no idea why, nor do I know how they choose the related posts. That’s just the way WordPress does things.
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- Tagged: awe, discovery, exploration, facts, imagination, knowledge, mystery, progress, science, thoughts, wonder
Defeat Despair 
What an amazing young man the baby we knew has become!
Thank you! Are you the Carolyn Coleman I remember so fondly, whom I knew in what now seems a different world? If so, please let me know how you and your family are doing!
Yes, it’s me. He was a baby the last time I saw him. We are doing well. We downsized and bought a little condo on the intracoastal waterway. We love our little walkable town. Brett is still in Atlanta and doing well. I hope all is well with you!
Carolyn, it’s so great to hear from you! WOW, Brett is in Atlanta! That’s where Drew lives too. I guess I’ll always think of Atlanta as my home town. Sounds like you have found a lovely place to retire. It’s amazing to think it was 45 years ago when I first started working for you and Nancy and all the colorful characters at U.T. Neurosurgery. I’m doing pretty well, all things considered. If that’s a good email for you, I’ll try to send you a few more details to catch you up. For better and worse the past decade has been life-altering for me, but I’m still standing and mostly still enjoying life.
God bless Matt in his faith, determination and courage. All the indices of a mature man to be proud of. And Julia you epitomize the steadfast mom whose child, no matter their age, is in need of the confident comfort found in a mother’s warm and secure embrace. Circumstances as these only confirms that love is the great elixir for which there is no substitute no matter the outcome.
-Alan
Alan, your own mother was such a superstar that I really appreciate your saying this. Matthew has always been such a blessing and now he is the most important person in my life. I’m so thankful to have him…and thankful we have each other! I’m grateful you understand!
I read this again today, April 7th, and found that I needed it even more than I did two weeks ago.
“A simple re-framing” really spoke to me today. I wonder, if I practice re-framing smaller inconveniences, will I become more proficient at that skill? I think it would be good to be cognitively flexible and better prepared.
Then there’s local, national, and global news. I don’t even know how to frame some of that at all, much less from multiple perspectives. Or maybe from multiple perspectives is the only possible way to approach it? Hmm. Then I wonder if it’s even healthy to try to understand it. It feels like flirting with insanity.
Susan, I’ve learned to tell God all the things I’m worried about (local or global) while freely admitting I understand none of it, and just beg Him to have mercy and take care of us all. I think it’s wise to pay attention and care, but as you say, obsessing about it can only bring trouble. I’ve learned to be content to do what I can in my little corner of the world, and leave the rest to God.