"Visit the sick"

I have a friend whose husband is suffering from Parkinson's and had a mini stroke a week ago. Judy needed to get out to exercise-swimming is her thing so off I went to spend the early afternoon with Ray.

As you know I retired from being a hospice chaplain a year ago. I do not miss the work (for a for-profit agency), I do miss the ministry. But what a wonderful preparation for visiting the sick as a RCWP. I must ask Judy before I go next time if she would like Ray to receive communion.

I didn't know what to expect but I immediately felt "back at home in the ministry of hospice" Ray can understand everything but is having trouble with speech, he can feed himself, is walking with a walker. Judy and I had a short discussion about Ray's needs, what he could do, etc. and off she went. My experience went something like this:

1. Ray was eating jello and he finished it while I was there. He is having trouble swallowing so it was, "do not leave the room" while there is jello in his bowl.

2. A daughter stopped by and talked with dad. He responded very well discussing the golfers on the TV, as Ray was an avid golfer. While she was there I said, "Life can't get any better Ray, jello, golf on TV and a beautiful daughter visiting." Ray looked at me and all though he couldn't say anything, the look of great pleasure on his face and his smile was all I needed to know "God is present through loving daughters in our lives." (I smile as I write this, the memory of God's love is catching.)

3. After Judy left we discovered that I did not know how to get to a menu for the channels, we got into a do-loop of "pay for the movie." Finally I called Judy who by this time I thought would be "in over her head swimming" but God is good so she told me his favorite channel, the golf channel.

4. Ray soon fell asleep watching golf which I thought would happen as he had a workout from physical therapy earlier today. After a work-out and lunch is a perfect time to take a nap!

5. Kept sleeping until "ring" the darn phone! He sat upright in his chair! I touched his shoulder and said, "Phone woke you up Ray?" he looked at me, "I think I will go outside." I thought "oh oh" as I knew he used to go outside to smoke and I hadn't any word from Judy on this. But that wasn't it. I helped Ray get up to his stool/walker and said, "Ray lead us to the door!" and off he went through his home till we came to the porch. "Oh shoot" I thought "a step down!" Judy hadn't told me about it and Ray was determined. So I scooted by him so I was down step. I helped Ray put the walker down the step. Then ever so slowly, still hanging on to the walker, one foot at a time--he was down! I was ready to shout "Hurray for Ray" but didn't want to scare him. Out we went to the yard, Judy's yard is all garden and is beautiful. I asked Ray if he would like to sit in the sun (it was 85 today)or the shade. Ray chose the sun. Used his walker seat as a foot rest, laid back and closed his eyes!

When Judy came home she said, "He loves to sleep in the garden." I thought, "Yes to get away from that drat phone that woke him up. This man can still problem solve!

God is compassion and present in our lives:
In the goodness of a daughter who comes to visit.
in the knowledge of a spouse who knows she must take care of herself.
in the friends who prepare dinner and provide respite.
in the man who enjoys life in the limits of his life.
in the happiness I felt in providing words to what Ray was feeling in the ministrations of his daughter.
in the beauty of God's creation in the "Garden of Eden of Ray and Judy"

Let us take care of each other remembering the God who loves us and gave us two commandments:
1. Love God
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Blessings everyone.