This week, a pronounced changing of the guard came clearly into view. Two lives--two people--who have given me immeasurable strength were changed. One by illness. The other by death.
Sunday. Imminence. Foreboding.
How is it possible to owe more to someone than your life? I don't know how. Yet, I do.
Sunday morning. A voicemail system flashes the unnerving red signaling a call missed.
A quart of blood lost. Unknown cause.
Wednesday. Tests done. A relatively clean bill of health. With equal parts exhaustion, and relief, she returned home. Yet, a huge toll has been taken on her. Physically. Emotionally. Psychologically.
Wednesday. A gentle soul died. Not before living very fully for many years. Not before giving me, and many others, strength from his weakness. Not before teaching me, and others, how to live quiet dignity.
Thursday morning. A never-before heard call. A call to offer my hour's swim in thanksgiving to him--for him. Unfamiliar though the call was, the message was clear.
Friday. The quart of blood lost to the woman to whom I owe my life, and so much more, is being restored more slowly than it was lost.
My sense of imminence--forboding--has been calmed. Yet, the strength has passed to me to offer. The time for me to offer something back for all of the strength she has offered to me for more than a lifetime is now.
What will my offering be?
No comments:
Post a Comment