Six Feet Tall, Three Feet Short: Outlook on Life, a Collection of Reflections from a Wheelchair

By Moses Bilsky

This book is a compilation which began with Moe's stroke in 2002 through the use of poetry or just plain rhyme, Moe translates his enjoyment, suffering, inspirations and experiences to date. It also includes the second half of his story, which began with an onslot of Cancer in 2005; he continues to tell his story using the same exciting & graphic penmanship. His writings have inspired many of his personal friends and family and has been honored and inspired patients at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Alberta, Canada and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Moe began writing, as most nights, he found himself awake at 3AM worrying about what was to become of himself and his family through the tragedy that struck. His thoughts and life began to flow to Black and White. Through this new media Moe discovered a way to push through the physical impairments residual of his stroke and cancer episodes. As he continued to put pencil to paper he grew inspired to survive through his own writings, which gave him a new life of accomplishments and the will to accept and grow older gracefully with his Wife. His Dream now is to share the experiences and stories of his life through his new passion, to make a positive difference in your life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456713058

Moses Bilsky

Moses (Moe) Bilsky was born in 1923 Ottawa Canada and moved to the United States when he was twelve. Residing in Kentucky through his youth, he found a love of horses; a passion for the “Art's” became an accomplished pianist, and devoted Son to his Mother and Father. After serving in World War II as a tank driver under General George Patton, he returned to the States to finish his education earning a LLB and his JD. Throughout his career he mastered several industries including a motorcycle dealership, (his favorite - as his dress was similar to that of riding a horse, head to toe leather and riding free in the wind), investment banking, real estate and textiles/furniture. He met Marcia, the love of his life in 1953 and moved to Chicago to raise a family. He is a devoted husband and father and shares his love, courage and passion for life with his wife and three children. He has always been a positive and encouraging influence in their lives.

Book preview

Table of Contents

About the Author

Chapter I - 911 The Floor Hit Me

Chapter II – Gurney To Oblivion

Chapter III – Strike One -

You’re Out 8 Days

Chapter IV - Who Me? Why!

Chapter V - Marissa - Wow

Chapter VI - Rollover - Relax

Chapter VII - You Listen. I’ll Cry.

Chapter VIII – Hang Me Up? What For?

Chapter IX - It Won’t Bend

Chapter X – Slide What? Where?

Chapter XI - Join The Group

Chapter XII - 10 Things I Know For Sure

Chapter XIII - Bend Over - Fall Over

Chapter XIV - Safe At Last?

Chapter XV - Most Exciting Experience -

I Don’t Remember

Chapter XVI - Celebrate The Obvious

Chapter XVII – Butterflies are Free

Chapter I– And All The While I Wondered

Chapter II – Why Wait – It’s My Weight

Chapter III – Today Is Today

Chapter IV – Chicago Is - - - -

Chapter V – Why So Picky?

Chapter VI – It’s What – Not When

Chapter VII – Sex – Shall We Talk?

Chapter VIII – Keep In Mind The Following

ONE MORE DAY

QUESTIONS ON MY MIND AT MIDNIGHT

IT @ FOUR AM

ODE TO WHOMEVER

DON’T TELL MY DOCTOR

A TEAR BECAUSE

I KNOW WE CAN

HOLD ON – CUSTER!

CUT IT FAIR

I’VE GOT THE WORLD

I WILL IF YOU WILL

MY LOVE

SECOND CHANCE?

ONCE IN FAR OFF MEMORY

A WORD FOR WELL

THE BLACK KNIGHT

RHYTHMS

ANOTHER WOMAN

HOME

MOONLIGHT

THE LAST DANCE

SOUL KEEPER

LIFE IS A PILL

THINKING TO WRITE ABOUT

I DUN IT FORBIDDEN FRUIT!

FULL – HALF - EMPTY

LUCK

CARDS

WHY?

STRUT ON

WHAT YOU DON’T SEE – IS WHAT YOU GET

GOOD BYE WITH LOVE

TIRED? NOT ME.

A BROTHER LOST

NO TIME OUT

NO RESPONSE

STILL TIME LEFT

A NECESSARY CUT

MIX AND MATCH

IMAGINATION

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

NEW MOON

IT’S NOW OR NEVER

FUNNY?

A NEW CHANCE

WE NEED

ADVISE

A PIPE DREAM

RING THAT BELL

FUN THOUGHTS

TIME

DOCTOR

AN OLD POKE

IN THE RIVER

WHAT IF

A VIEW FROM A SEAT BETWEEN WHEELS

A PURPOSE FOR AN ACTIVE MIND

WHO ARE YOU?

THINK NOW

REMEMBERING

A SPECIAL THOUGHT

They Say Life Is A Bowl Of Cherries

THE SILLINESS OF ME

FANTASY

AND THEN THERE IS ME

SUB – ZERO

THANKS DAD

LEGACY

CAN YOU HEAR ME

LOST FEELING

TOTAL NONSENSE

SPIDER

A PERSONAL MOMENT

A RESTLESS MIND

DATES REMEMBERED

INBETWEEN

TOMORROW’S ORDER

ABOVE AND BEYOND

NO – NEVERMIND –

I’LL JUST SIT HERE ALONE AND CRY

BE IT KNOWN

REFLECTIONS OF A TIRED MIND

AN IRRESISTIBLE THOUGHT –

FROM AN IRRESPONSIBLE MIND.

WOODCHUCK IN THE WILLOW

LIFE

A.M. – MAYBE?

LILLY LOVELY

PERSONAL CHALLENGE

MIDNIGHT ROAMER

JUST IN TIME – A RHYME

SOMEONE

LIFE IS A GAMBLE

THOUGHTS BEFORE THINKING

THOUGHTS – AFTER THINKING

MEANINGFUL WORDS

AGAIN – AGAIN AND AGAIN

QUICK – SAY

IT’S IMPORTANT

FOUR SEASONS

JUST NONSENCE

IT’S OKAY

A TRUE STORY? MAYBE

HUMPTY DUMPTY

THOUGHTS

FIVE

EASY AS PIE

FIGHT

WRITTEN

FICTION & FACTS, FROM MOE’S ALMANAC

I WATCH

I WOULD IF I COULD

TOMORROW

I WIN

NOW

AGAIN - ? – !

HUMPTY DUMPTY II

HE SAID, YOU SAID, I SAID

THE BEST

THAT’S IT

AH! WHAT’S UP DOC?

ALL TOGETHER NOW

NIGHTMARES

A CRYING SMILE

WOW – AND THEN – WOW

BAREFOOT BEGGAR

IT TAKES MORE THAN EFFORT

DON’T EXPECT A MIRACLE

WITH APOLOGY TO COLE PORTER

INVOLVED

JUST A THOUGHT ONE NIGHT

DOING VS. THINKING

WHEELCHAIR

ALL’S WELL

SATISFACTION

LUCKY

IT’S DIFFERENT DOWN HERE

SAFETY ABOUNDS

About the Author

Moses (Moe) Bilsky was born in 1923 Ottawa Canada and moved to the United States when he was twelve. Residing in Kentucky through his youth, he found a love of horses; a passion for the Art’s became an accomplished pianist, and devoted Son to his Mother and Father. After serving in World War II as a tank driver under General George Patton, he returned to the States to finish his education earning a LLB and his JD. Throughout his career he mastered several industries including a motorcycle dealership, (his favorite - as his dress was similar to that of riding a horse, head to toe leather and riding free in the wind), investment banking, real estate and textiles/furniture.

He met Marcia, the love of his life in 1953 and moved to Chicago to raise a family. He is a devoted husband and father and shares his love, courage and passion for life with his wife and three children. He has always been a positive and encouraging influence in their lives.

Reflections from a Stroke Survivor

Dedication I

To Marcia;

There is no flower or jewel to equal the beauty I see in you every day. Were it in my power, I would walk beside you into eternity, and wish, that moment in life and time was forever.

Dedication II

These writings are dedicated to our children who in the flash of an eye, were there when needed.

Not expecting to see such a respectful change, they matured instantaneously. Their Mother and I, no longer at the strong helm, were safe, and grateful to be surrounded by such support.

The daughter in Realty Management, the daughter in California Corporate Purchasing, and the Glass Designer extraordinaire son, stood silent and strong, and accomplished on a 24/7 bases, independence, reliability, and family loyalty.

We didn’t raise them well, we loved them well.

Forward A - I Don’t Think It Matters

Happy or sad – rich or poor – of any color or religion - crown prince or cabdriver – old or young - champion - valedictorian – blind or deaf - When a Stroke Hits, You’re Hit.

What is important is continuing to exist as best as possible. Treatment, attitude, wanting to improve, patience, time, all combinations toward a common goal. Even a finger twitch can be exciting.

Forward B

Don’t stop trying to be what you want to be – better today than yesterday. Only you will know if there is a power greater than your imagination.

100 PAGES FOR ALL AGES

A lesson taught – Cannot be bought.

If you Believe – You can achieve.

Show you care – Please share.

If the shoe fits – you’re lucky.

You don’t need to be Smart – To Fart.

THE UNQUENCHABLE THIRST

It’s the brightness of togetherness that lights the dark path of future loneliness – and the road continues on the edge of courage. Faith is the leader, and with hope, our will and desire, prove to be adequate support.

And so I wanted to tell a story – meaningful, with purpose and humor. From sketches on a little pad – through three corrective attempts – three proofing’s – One hundred plus printed handouts – finally someone noticed, and now, after fifteen months from the beginning –

I’m proud to present:

Six Feet Tall – Three Feet Short

Enjoy – Think – Share – and count your blessings.

M.B.

Chapter I - 911 The Floor Hit Me

When you least expect the unexpected - WOW, it happens. In good health, shaving in the bathroom, and whistling about 5:00 P.M. – getting ready to take my wife out to dinner, I felt a tremor in my right knee. Then it spread, first my foot – my leg tightened – my thigh felt numb. I couldn’t hold myself up. I grabbed the sink. I started to slide backwards. My shoulder pushed the shower glass panel. Because we kept the shower door held ajar for the dog. I fell backwards into the shower – my back, pressing against the threshold, I lay backwards into the shower. My wife being near by, hearing my call, (really a scream) came running. Call 911 - I was barely audible. Within 10 minutes, our apartment was buzzing.

Doors opening, telephones busy, heavily coated, and booted firemen. I thought of my father’s favorite definition of formaldehyde. From all da hiding places came the Indians. As I said, ‘the apartment was buzzing’.

Chapter II – Gurney To Oblivion

Can you hear me? I responded, YES. I heard all together on the count of ----- it faded out. But I felt being picked up and my chin was no longer forced into my chest. The cart manipulated around corners - I saw my wife near me - I realized the ceiling Lobby lights were to bright - I felt the cool night air - I saw my son and asked where Marcia was - assured – the ambulance was moving and I loved the sound of the siren – that’s it. Lights out and oblivion set in.

Chapter III – Strike One -

You’re Out 8 Days

When strike one is called on the Cubs – they still have two more attempts at survival. My strike one kept me out of the conscious game for the following eight days. Not lucid what so ever, I am told I wanted the ceiling lights realigned in order – the television moved to the other corner, the bed turned to the windows, and the guest lounge chair pushed away, and the doctor telling someone he had a circus going on in the room.

But evidently, medication, attention and love brought me back to the land of the living, and I became aware of being back on a gurney, and being pushed through long tunnels to I know not where.

But the where proved to be the Rehab Institute of Chicago at N.W., a safe haven indeed! Ending the wheeled trip in a huge room for 4 beds, I was the only patient.