the warm sunshine of gratitude

I discovered something in hospital that I suppose I knew - already - but I'd never been still long enough to see it work over a sustained period.
Y'see, in a hospital bed you get what the medical people are able to get to you when they're able to get it to you. I could do little enough for myself, and even less for others...but was this really an invitation to make myself the exclusive centre of attention?
Having visited a couple of friends in Hospital the previous Sunday I knew that people are so much worse off than me, but this was hurting, uncomfortable, dependent, and somewhat attention-focussing.
And yet somewhere deep within was a sense that I was the beneficiary of amazing surgical skills and compassionate nursing and ought to be properly thankful for all that comprised such a blessing. So I found myself saying thank you whenever a surgeon come visiting, or a nurse handed me a pottle to puke into or plunged the a syringe full of this medicine or that into a device in the back of hand, or handed me a pill or two or several. Even an icy refill of my water-jug seemed like a real blessing - actually that was a blessing. So "thank you" became an act of praise both of my carers and of the God of all goodness whose own goodness lies behind all good.
So - sunshine? That was the astonishing effect that such a small act of appreciative response; the smile on the faces of those repeatedly, patiently answering my requests and calls on my little button; often a little hassled by the weight of the needs of those they had to care for.
In as much as you did it for the least of these...ought to yield a little sunshine now as well as well on the loving face of the Saviour as He reviews the shape our lives...and yet maybe that "in as much..." also applies to putting a smile on the face of a willing, hardworked, dedicated, compassion-driven servant of my needs when I'm so dependant and at their mercy.

Reflections on gaining a bionic knee.1

On May 1 I launched out on a new adventure; that of elective surgery to get my knee working properly again - in fact a partial knee replacement - hence "bionic" in the title.
First my thanks to Matt Walker the capable and resourceful surgeon, then to Richard the Anaesthetist, and the Theatre staff. No nonsense, thoughtful, skilled.
I am also very grateful to a wonderful nursing team; to Bindu and Philippa our night time nurses (and to Lynne who did the late shift the last night); and to the ever-smiling and sweet Jisha our daytime nurse. And of course Angela the capable and friendly charge nurse.
I also want to give special credit to my room mates: Randy, Diane and Barbara...all my juniors in age. Their encouragement, even in the midst of their own struggles, was key to my belief in my ability to get going as well as I did post-operation. The two latter are still in hospital as their improvement has been more gradual and painful; may they get well and been tearing up the pavement soon.
One can never discount the encouragement of loving visitors, lead by my life-partner and lover, Bernadette (accompanied once by daughter Beka and granddaughter, Haeata, later followed by my youngest John). The very act of showing up all smiles and concern joined me to the Body again, if I'd ever felt separated. So to Pete and Pam and Bill; Matt; Malcolm; Bob; Victor and Hera and Yongki humble, blest thanks.
Even our journey of pain is not a solo journey, though it may feel so. The best sign of the ultimate Pain-Bearer's presence is that of His love-giving people gathering and travelling with me; and that Presence I felt strongly in the stretches of night where sleep lay in waiting, calling me to talk with Him about those sharing the room with me and whoever He brought into the conversation Deus absconditus? I don't think so; in fact I know otherwise, all praise to His loving, ever-present care and attention.
Blessings
Pete