February 28,2008
As I write this sharing, I am still here in PGH where my mom is confined for the past few days. I got the inspiration to write again because God was conversing to me non-stop, answering questions and pointing out things that I need to realize. The following are some of those realizations.
Superwoman is human.
My mom has been my super hero as far as I can remember. Juggling responsibilities as a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend can be very taxing. And yet, she never did she miss any of my PTCs in the past nor my sister’s check-ups or my dad’s important events.
But like any mortal, heroes have their weaknesses too. Mom had an operation last Tuesday. The supermom I’ve known for the past years is also human. And then it hit me, am I reciprocating the love and care my mom (and my dad) has been showering me? I know I can never supersede a parent’s love for their children. I can only repay them if I have children of my own. Nevertheless, being at my mom’s side for the past two days is my own way of showing my love and support for the countless times she has been there for me.
Our parents are not immortal. Let’s us not wait for us to have our own family to “pay-it-forward” . Now that we are able and independent grown-ups, why don’t we take our parents out for movie dates, have more meaningful dinner conversations and spend quality time with them. After all, no matter how old we get, we will always and forever be our parent’s children.
Rule of Thumb
Same day that my mom was admitted, I injured my right thumb. It was quite painful really. Since it was the thumb, I had difficulty carrying bags, writing, texting, typing, pretty much everything that involves the right hand. As I was ranting about my sore thumb the whole day I happened to pass by the orthopedic/spine unit. Seeing people in extreme physical (and emotional) pain…right then and there, I stopped complaining. (Plus, I vow to take care of my back more seriously.)
Doctors in our own way
I am always fascinated with doctors in white lab gowns, stethoscopes around their necks curing sick people. Probably that’s why I’m hooked watching Grey’s Anatomy and House. Sometimes I feel that still want to be a doctor to help people alleviate their pain.
While hearing mass at PGH chapel, it dawned on to me that not all illnesses are of physical nature. The most crippling diseases are the ones that can not be cured by medical means. The illness I am pertaining to concerns the spirit…our spirit.
Its symptoms may come in different forms: indifference, greed, vanity etc. A lot of people need healing in this area. We may be one of them.
God’s love and power to heal is vast and immeasurable. In times when our hearts and spirit aches because of our brokenness, HIS love acts as a soothing balm that comforts us and makes it all better. (Sometimes it can also be as painful as a vaccine shot but still the same...cures us and makes it all better.) Because of this great love our God has for us, HE passes on this gift of healing to us that we may heal other people as well.
Love one another as I have loved you, Jesus said. As Jesus commissioned us to love one another, why don’t we extend that love by mending and healing broken hearts and spirits? We can be doctors in our own right because we have witnessed how the LORD has worked wonders and miracles in our lives. Our community, households, one-on-ones, the corporal works of mercy (feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and the imprisoned, bury the dead and shelter the homeless) are just few of the many ways we can reach out and comfort our brothers and sisters. And in the process, we may also be receiving HIS healing touch as well!
That in all things God may be glorified!
Jaymee