The Winter of My Repose

by Linda Mcgovern

LINDA and NEIL own a restaurant and inn in Speculator, a quaint village in New York State. They work side by side for many years. While at work, Linda experiences a strange sensation in her head. She has a seizure and ends up in the hospital. She is told she has had a stroke and is sent home to recover. Exactly eight weeks later, she suffers another seizure. This one is much more serious. After numerous tests performed, Linda lies in the ICU and listens to Neil speaking with the doctor in the hallway. The words “brain tumor” resonates in her ears, but she feels no emotion. Neil, on the other hand is devastated. Through a series of serendipitous events, Linda finds herself at NYU undergoing numerous tests, which eventually lead to brain surgery in order to remove the tumor. This life changing event causes Linda to reflect on her life, especially the past three years. Her marriage is troubled but her thoughts embrace KEVIN, their severely disabled son. For his sake, she decides to stay in the marriage and keep her family together. She begs God for help. While a brain tumor is a drastic way of getting help, she realizes this is God’s way of pulling her out of the deep chasm she remains in. Neil’s affair seems quite trivial now, and Neil rallies behind her and becomes the true anchor in her life. Linda’s reflection includes the strengthening of her faith in God. Through her story, she emanates hope, strength and courage, but most of all a lesson many of us have yet to learn. Life is short and every moment should be cherished.

111 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009