I'm here for you

Today my favorite author is Patti Digh.  Note, I said today; yesterday Sue Monk Kidd was my favorite and before that Kris Radish.  I love to read and I enjoy a variety of subjects.  My favorite author changes as often as my hair color changes.  Variety is the spice of life; in case you hadn't heard and I'm pretty spicy.

I found Patti Digh's blog a few weeks back.  I have been digesting them slowly every since the discovery.  I have already read two of her books and have found slow mental processing of her books is best.  Her stories come under the heading of Thinkology.  The first time I read her essay I think, "cute clever story" then I go back and read it again and say "Aha".  Don't you just love those Aha! moments?

Today I read her entry in her blog from October 25, 2009, "Stepping Stone Sunday: be a bell".  Her essay begins with a description of her visit to her doctor.  A story that is quite familiar to me and I'm sure many others.  The doctor rushes in and rather than discussing what is going on tells the nurse to set up appointments for blood work to be done.  Then turns to Patti and says "If I can do anything else for you, give us a call."  Understandably Patti just wanted to yell "What is the diagnosis?"

Less than two years ago I had a similar situation with my heart specialist.  I haven't been back since.  Yes, I do understand the importance of consulting a heart specialist especially since six weeks prior to that visit that doctor had put a stynt in one of the veins in my heart.  But when a doctor tells me he wants me to go on a low salt diet and take medicine for cholesterol and to thin my blood but cannot tell me what my cholesterol numbers are, I get a little uneasy.  Those fancy new life saving drugs have some pretty harmful side effects.  When I insisted on more information my doctor left the room, came back a little later; did not walk into the room, merely stuck his head in the room, said "your numbers are normal" and left.  No "thank you very much" or "good bye".  Needless to say, I am not taking the drugs and well not be back.

Patti went on to say she was frustrated by western medical doctors so she went to see her wise acupuncturist who took the time to listen to her.  After their talk, her acupuncturist left her to rest under a heated sheet in a dark room with quiet music.  Before her acupuncturist left her to rest she placed a small silver bell in her hand.  The bell was given to her so that she could summon the acupuncturist if she was needed.  How reassuring to know someone is there for you.

I spoke with a girlfriend from high school about just this today.  Another classmate had recently lost her husband.  The widow asked how long would she grieve.  Her answer; "at least two years maybe longer".  Even the most independent person needs someone at some time.  For the next two years this lady will need her girlfriends and family more than she ever thought possible.  She will need a reassuring smile, a shoulder to cry on or someone to vent her anger to because God took the love of her life way too soon.

As Patti says "I offer you a bell."  If you need me, I'm here for you.  Asking for help or just a hand to hold can be difficult to do so if you don't know how to ask, give me some kind of sign.  I'll be there for you just as others have been there for me when I needed them.