Today I met one of the Anglican priests from my mother’s church (well, it’s my church too but I hardly ever go), because I had asked her to pray for me and my pompholyx and for Ants too. She is a beautiful person about my age who came out to the farm a few days after Ming’s car accident and prayed for us and for the whole family, and her name is Sarah.
We met in the parking lot of the nursing home at 1.30pm which was, coincidentally, the same time my mother was planning to meet me to visit Ants. I would have gone into the nursing home with Sarah but unfortunately, after showing her my hands, I burst into tears so had to ring my ma and say Sarah and I would do the praying thing outside and come into the nursing home presently.
So Sarah and I found a seat outside and she prayed and anointed my hands and blessed me while my nose dribbled as I stopped crying. Neither of us had a tissue so I had to wipe my nose on my shirt before we joined my ma and Ants.
They were sitting outside in a little garden area and, after the introductions and greetings, not knowing how much time Sarah had, I got straight to the point.
Me: “Ants, remember how Sister R. used to come over and anoint you with her holy oil?” (Sister R. is a Catholic nun who has been our friend for decades and, despite Anthony not being the least bit religiously inclined, he used to love this).
Ants: “Yes.”
Me: “Well Sarah can do that now.”
Sarah: “Do you want me to, Anthony?”
Anthony: “Mmmm.”
Me: “Yes.”
So Sarah prayed for Ants and anointed him and then we all sat back and had a conversation.
We talked a lot about life, the accident, our kids (Sarah has a daughter nearly the same age as Ming), my mother’s unfortunate collision with a glass door the other day, and my hands. Then Sarah asked Anthony various questions – about his childhood, his siblings, Ming and so on – that elicited answers. I admired her skill at drawing him out because his conversational skills are now very hesitant. Sarah was also very good at waiting silently for his response – fantastic!
Then, in answer to a question about something entirely different, Ants suddenly said this: “I have accepted my Parkinson’s and I still have the power to swear at people I don’t like.”
Oh how much I love this man!
Thank you, Anthony.
Thank you, Mother.
Thank you, Sarah.
Thank you, God (but only if you heal my hands and foot).
On the other hand, maybe I will have to accept my Pompholyx, just as Anthony has accepted his Parkinson’s disease.
jmgoyder 
You continue to amaze me how you manage to find humor in all around you. Hope you heal soon.
The humor thing is coming in handy!
Bravo Ants! Sarah sounds special.
She is!
Sounds like a good visit… Ants might be able still to swear but at least he didn’t at ‘Sarah’…. Diane
He comes out with these brilliant one-liners all the time – I love it!
That’s quite wonderful to read – I feel blessed just reading it 🙂
I was surprised by his voicing his acceptance – and relieved.
The whole engagement with the priest was so lovely for you all!
And maybe acceptance will bring healing. We don’t always understand why we have to suffer, but God knows the end from the beginning we don’t. And we/are impatient creatures. Thank you for sharing your joys and sorrows. It puts things into perspective.
I am starting to accept that this might be a forever condition.
How I wish your hands were on the mend..loved this post, loved the blessings and understand your profound love for your man..
He is one in a million!
That’s a strong moment, to accept something. I think I have had that moment around 20 times with my anxiety. As long as you just keep trying to move forward – that’s all that matters.
Lots of healing thoughts to your hands!
It’s very hard isn’t it. This condition has given me an enormous amount of empathy for people, like you, who suffer chronic illness. I hope you don’t mind me saying that. I admire your ability to keep on keeping on! Jx
that is powerful and amazing!
It was a rather magical experience.
That was so beautiful in every imaginable way. It warmed my heart and put a smile on my face, I felt the love come through so strong and bright. 🙂
Thanks Laurie!
One of those emotionally and physically exhausting days where you finally lie down at the end of it with a heart full of love, a mind full of hope, and a smile on your lips, even as a tear escapes your closed eyes and ends up tickling your ear. In other words…Man, what a day!
Ah, you know me well.
I’m with ya in spirit Jules
Smiling and sending you a big hug, Julie!
(((0)))
~L
Thanks Lynda!
I believe Mind, Body & Spirit are totally interlinked.
Sometimes minor health problems are resolved when the Mind & Spirit are healed (of their troubles).
I found my own health got much better when I accepted that I would never be cured, so I’d should make the very best of what I have. I think your hands and foot will get better when you least expect them to.
Vicki
xo
Thanks for this insight, Vicki. Jxxx
What a beautiful gift Sarah is! So happy you such a pleasant visit.
“Thank you, God (but only if you heal my hands and foot).” Love it!! 🙂
Sarah is my new BFF!
What a beautiful way of writing, Julie. It touched me. I will add my prayers to hoping your hand/foot condition heals swiftly. I have a motto – if something comes out of nowhere, it can to back to where it came. The awful conditions that plague us (while we’re already dealing with enough) will go away. I’m sure that writing and expressing feelings is an outlet that allows for some release. Never give up hope of feeling better (I’m speaking to myself, as well, with that!)
Holding hands with you Judy (ouch!) haha!
Well, I’ve got to hand it to you, Julie – you know how to bring the puns out of me. If I’m not careful, you might give me the “finger.” I better not do anything rash or I’m askin’ (“skin”) for trouble. Enough! I need to get a grip on things. 🙂
You have a talent for this Judy haha!
What a touching story Jules! Thank you so much for sharing it.
Diana xo
You are welcome Diana!
Lovely! I guess that’s the big gift, accepting what is. Thank you.
Yes, acceptance.
It is wonderful to be open to people like Sarah and obviously she is open to possibilities. I laughed out loud when I heard Anthony’s comment, especially the last part. I got angry at the employment office and said I was sick of this and that it was all bs(but used the full word.) said I had to get out of there and left before my parking ran out.Thanks Anthony,I feel better now.
I believe that swearing is very good for cleaning out the soul haha!
I definitely resort to dropping a few f-bombs when I get wound up-although the anger is a killer and best to let go of.
English man sending his thoughts over the oceans.. admiration.. 😉
And I am very grateful – thank you!
😉
Acceptance is important and I hope you find your emotional life is a little easier from now on.
I’m so glad you had Sarah to pray for you. I’m pretty sure a lot of people are praying for you but there’s nothing like having someone actually pray over you.
Yes it was good!
I really hope you don’t have to accept your hands condition, but if you do, I know you will do it. This was a beautiful story Julie
Thanks Terry!
Did I miss the4 saga of your mother and the glass door? If so, send her my sympathy.
Meg doesn’t like being written about so I will tell you privately. She’s okay.
I am relieved.
What a beautiful moment. I can see why you love him! And Sarah sure was a blessing herself it sounds like.
Anthony’s one-liners are brilliant sometimes! Yes and Sarah is a gem.
I love how you can still find the beauty and humor in things!
Well you are a great example of this Trisha!
. . . easier to accept the good things, like winning the lottery or new grandbabies.
Definitely!
Acceptance is a tough one for me. Can never decide if I’m caving or accepting. I’m a firm believer in shaking your fists at the heavens, venting, and then getting on with Life. Sounds like Sarah was blessing for all of you. That’s so special. Good luck with your hands….
Yes I am constantly caught between acceptance and its opposite – as we all are I guess.
Julie, Ants is a man with a ton of courage, he is the type of person I would have enjoying knowing and being around. I know you realize how lucky you are to have him, and I know he knows how lucky he is to have you. You both are bookends, your works are between you, and you have filled many a shelf. Please take care and be safe. Bill
What a fantastic metaphor!
Susie sent me! Wonderful post, thanks for bringing it to the party! 🙂
Thank you Austin!
This is so heart felt. You’ve been through so much in the three years I’ve known you. It’s time for a swing in the positive direction. I will pray for you and your family Julie.
Thanks for bringing this to the party. It is a great introduction to your blog! 🙂 Have fun clicking on links and saying “hello!”