Thank you and see you later!

By Nellie Curtiss . . . .

It’s no secret that I’ve been navigating some health issues. What the reader’s radar may not know is that my spinal issues began over 40 years ago. The attack injured my cervical neck. That’s similar, but not exactly like that which Superman, i.e., Christopher Reeve suffered when he was thrown from his horse all those many years ago.

The issue began about ten years after the original attack in the that small town house in Houston.  Now years hence, I’m awaiting a second surgery that may restore some losses. I’d like to be able to reach out and up. I’d like to be able to even think without my pain swaying thoughts away.

The pain prevents my hand from keyboarding correctly and creates more of a claw-like hand than the usual hand placement.

I am hopeful that once the postponed surgery is reinstated, I could be nimble again.  Corrective surgery over my wonky discs and at-risk spinal cord, could bring better movement.

In the meantime, I need to set aside my column, Movin’ on with Nellie, until such a time as I can keyboard and write again.

My long mission in writing has been to create a reading room that shares kindness, inspiring stories, and some hilarity to brighten lives between the weekly columns. Most recently I enjoyed the earnest raking and scooping sundry collections from my backyard when volunteers from Bailey and part of Christian Community Services Project visited one hot afternoon. The column I wrote about childhood memories of Elvis singing “Love me Tender, Love me True” on a 45 rpm record solicited many heart felt comments from readers. One reader invited me to listen as she played the song on her harp. I know I didn’t collect all these invitations, but I was moved and cheered on, for sure.

Other purposeful writings plugged the chefs from All Gon Pizzeria in Fort Garland, The Firehouse Restaurant in South Fork, Dos Hermanos, Nino’s, Dairy Queen and others. I wrote about movies, and cartoons, and books. I celebrated our armed forces and police departments. I wrote about issues and families; and I threw in some fiction, too. Along with Ruth Heide and other staff, I wrote about The Creed Repertoire Theater plays, fur paws and friendly nonprofits.

Thank you for reading and passing it (kindness) on. Here’s hoping my prose is back sooner than you can sneeze.

— Nelda Curtiss is a retired college educator and long-time local columnist. Reach her at columnsbynellie.com or email her at columnsbynellie@gmail.com