At Your Service

Why do I do what I do? Days that call for a throat punch response aside, I generally like my chosen career. I'm good at what I do and I'm mostly respected for my abilities. I like the camaraderie of the team I work with, I have a creative outlet when I need it, it can be challenging when busy; mostly though, on those occasions I get to directly see a guests response to something that I played a part in, I enjoy making people happy. I get to impact people's lives, brief as it is with a fleeting meal.

This weekend we have L'Arche in the house for a few days. An organization dedicated to bringing people together of varying abilities in the belief that when everyone is involved then everyone benefits; the world is a better place for the compassion and justice that comes from simply taking someones hands into your own and offering to be of service to them. I was moved by what I saw when walking through the halls going about my day. There is, for me, a quiet but powerful nobility in the notion of saying how can I help you? What can I do for you? Recently it was explained to me that this is one of the ways we show love...I like that.

Too often we are bombarded by the everyday meanness of the world; if it bleeds it leads when it comes to the news. Pundits proffer reasons and predict outcomes, pontificating on everything from gay marriage causing hurricanes to why Drumph is the best or worst president ever. Yet all along we are surrounded by the simple good that the world does show itself that goes unnoticed so often. To think of the way the world could be if we promoted that as much as the people shouting from the rooftops about gun control or abortion or whatever seems to be bothering them most on this day.

Scott has entered the last of his days with us, the fuck off cancer is spreading too rapidly and palliative care is where he now finds himself. We've been blessed to have had this much time with him when he was diagnosed in March. Treasured memories to mingle with the tears that are certainly  coming. He's now going to be entrusted to the people that I think have one of the most difficult jobs in the medical world, taking their patients the final few steps to the beyond. I have no doubt it would be one of the most difficult and yet most rewarding places to practice your humanity.

I want to share a little story from the past few months. Since his diagnosis Scott and Fifi have been subjected to an almost constant stream of visitors coming to say goodbye and show love. All well intentioned of course but there is a reality to be recognized, they essentially began running a bed and breakfast while coping with the stark truth that they faced. One weekend Tammy and I stole away for a visit with an old friend and on the next day we had plans to visit Scott and Fifi. On a whim we decided that we wanted to cook for them and that is what we did instead of going out for a meal. They allowed us to give them a gift, our love being shown with the simple act of preparing a meal and cleaning it all up afterwards. They were happy and we were over the moon to have been able to do something for them. I will treasure the memory of that afternoon forever.

The earth is rotating rapidly on its axis and I know the inevitable is coming sooner than later. I hope for only one thing, the grace to help me do whatever is needed. To be able to show my love in whatever way I can.

D