Breaths of Life

I held my breath as I lay in the lake water...I learned to float.
I held my breath as I waited for the high school boy to call...we dated.
I held my breath as I waited to hear if I had passed my driving test...I did.
I held my breath as I waited for the pastor to pronounce us 'husband and wife'...he did, and we were, for fourteen years.
I held my breath as I waited to hear the extent of my 5 year old son's concussion...he would be ok.
I held my breath as we waited to hear whether our offer on our home purchase would be accepted...it was home for almost ten years.
I held my breath as I waited to hear the results of my six year old's EEG...seizures disappeared with short term medication.
I held my breath as I waited for my intoxicated husband to arrive home...he did, at 3am.
I held my breath as I waited through the night for the police to come and tell me he had hit someone on his drive home...they never did.
I held my breath as I waited for the judge to grant our divorce...he did.
I held my breath on a harried trip to visit my dying mother...she lived for three more years.
I held my breath as I cleaned maggots from a friend's retreat refrigerator, closed for two years...he thanked me.
I held my breath as the airy, delicate torte cooled for the evening dinner party...it was beautiful.
I held my breath as my car spun on black ice...it never touched another car or the bridge guard rails.
I held my breath for the mammogram....and for the next.
I held my breath for the biopsy results...and the doctor called...and it was good news.

sh 6/3/2012