[img]541|left|||no_popup[/img] Hug your cat. Tell your partner and your family you love them. So often we take for granted what matters most to us.

This past weekend, I was painfully reminded of this lesson. I tweaked my right hand on Friday to the point where for a few hours I completely lost sensation in my fingers. After the feeling came back, it took the form of shooting jolts of discomfort between my thumb and index finger.

I had to wait until Monday morning for an emergency chiropractic visit. (I didn’t go to urgent care because the last time I tried that for a similar injury I ended up with a mis-diagnosis that in a less stubborn teen would have made me quit cello at age 16.) During this time, I was faced with the possibility – however slight – that I would not again be able to rock out on my cello.

This is my waking nightmare. Little did I know that the image my friend Emanuel Dale took of me a year ago could fit so literally.

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Blessings

Thankfully, after my first visit, I am much cheered. While things are definitely not back to normal, I saw the light of confidence in the doctor’s eyes. After numerous joint tests and a few x-rays, he all but guaranteed me that not only would he have me playing again, but he would have me in good enough shape to perform in my concert this weekend in San Diego. I will sleep peacefully tonight for the first time since my injury. And I will learn from this to cherish every moment I have with my cello… as well as my loved ones.

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Ms. Dewberry, an accomplished cellist, completed her DMA in Chamber Music Performance from UCLA in December 2005. She received her MM in Cello Performance from UCLA in June 2002 and her B.M. in Cello Performance from Western Michigan University in April 1998. She also holds a B.A. in French with a minor in Women's Studies and Philosophy.

Her website is www.carterdewberry.com

She may be contacted at carter@carterdewberry.com