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January 2004
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"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2) When I begin to feel that my life has taken yet another turn for the worse, I am reminded that it can be worse.. Tom's wife, Connie, died in 1996. I remember her so well because she'd had surgery and they had shaved most of her beautiful long blonde hair. Her husband and daughters came in with a baggie filled with hair and tearfully asked if we could somehow "fix it". My mother and I spent hours gluing her hair back on one strand at a time. I remember, being new at funeral directing, asking at one point, "Why are we doing this?" My question was answered when the family came in for visitation and the woman they had last seen bruised and swollen with her beautiful hair gone was once again the mother and wife they had last seen before the operation. I was surprised when my father told me he had been in today. "Visiting?" I asked. "No," my father had that sober look that meant bad news, "His daughter is terminal." "Oh no!" I said shocked. I think of so many people who now have diseases... who are terminal... so may of us it seems have succumbed to something. I don't know if something in our community has caused this... or if it is just random coincidence. I do know that my community is sustaining me now. They are supporting me in ways I never dreamed... cards come every day to wish me well, cheer me up or just "thinking" of you. An anonymous Santa left a Christmas tree on my front porch on Christmas Eve knowing that I had not had the energy to put one up. They had hand painted ornaments that said "Hope". I later found out that it had been a wonderful woman I had known since High School who, found out I was sick and wanted to do something nice for me. And then the Duran Duran delivery... the contribution of so many people I have never even met who just wanted to do something... all those lovely people at duranduran.com who donated money and sent me a limited edition autographed poster. I am reminded everyday how blessed I am to have so many people in my life that are so wonderful. They say you get what you give but I really think I have gotten so much more than I deserve. I am sustained by the love of my friends, family and strangers. We are all in this together and while life is so very uncertain the support of those who care for us is not and never should be. |
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