Sunday, August 11, 2002
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Sunday, August 11, 2002 |
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Go for it By MARY JANE HOLT
I always wondered why Lewis Grizzard wrote about his heart problems and his surgeries. Now, I suspect he felt like he owed it to us. Like we were part of his world. We were the folks with whom he laid it all out. Whether we agreed with him or not, he made us think. He made us feel. He never stopped being himself for us. I suppose that is probably the main reason why I want to tell you what's going on in my life at this present time. I just got off the phone with one of my editors. I had called to tell him I would be sending in several advance columns, prior to Monday's deadline, for publication over the next few weeks as I recuperate from surgery slated for Aug. 5. We talked for a few minutes about the surgery and his good wishes were warm and genuine. He made me feel cared about. That's a good thing, you know, to feel cared about. A therapeutic thing. I was glad I had called him. Before we hung up, I asked if he thought it would be appropriate for me to ask my readers to pray for me. "Go for it," he said. I like that phrase. "Go for it" is exactly what both my teenage sons said in 1986 when I announced I was leaving the field of nursing to pursue my writing. It's a good line. Might be as good as "Just do it." Well, that's what it has come down to as far as this surgery goes. For years I have fought to hold on to my colon. I have lost the fight. It has to go. I'm ready to go for it, and just do it! Now, the actual surgical removal of the colon is no big deal to me. I like my doctor and trust her. I am very comfortable in her care. Pain is no big deal either. Pain is pain. You deal with it. I can do that. So why do I want your prayers? You see, I have Lupus, asthma and lots of allergies. I have had a number of surgeries over the years and I really do very well in the immediate hours after surgery. Then, in the coming days and weeks, my body gets angry. An already very overactive immune system goes into overdrive and the body starts to have systemic reactions to what has been done to it. And that's where you come in. Will you pray that my body will accept this procedure and be happy from the get-go about the future improvement in my health? I say "my body," because my body is not me. I've known all my life that my body is only what I live in while I'm here on this planet. You and I are so much more than our bodies. I hope you know that! So, about praying whatever you perceive prayer to be, go for it. I know for a fact that it works. I knew it long before all the so-called scientific study results in the past decade came out in support of the power of prayer. (The things on which we spend research dollars continues to blow my mind!) With all its contradictions, all its challenges, all its intermingling of so many peoples, so many points of view, so many beliefs and faiths, life is wonderful! I have been quite happy in recent years to live my life quietly, remaining at home far more than I ever did in the past. My health has dictated that I do that. Now, however, I feel a restlessness, a desire to be out and about again, mixing more with people, hugging folks again. Lord, I miss the hugging! So I'm going for it! I just recorded my first CD (no, not singing, just reading to a soft musical background) because I realized I had a talent I have not used well over the years. I have been told repeatedly that I have a soothing voice, and often have been asked to make such a recording, so I recently went for that, too. With my nursing background and being a real people person even with all my declarations of how much I love my solitude I suppose I am qualified to write for and read to folks who are hurting, scared, struggling. I've been there a hundred times and, amazingly, I always come out on top with more joy and peace than before. So, when I have recuperated from this surgery, I'd like to see you again and thank you for your prayers. Perhaps I will be able once more to come to your churches, clubs or small group meetings and read to you and share with you, from my heart, and I'd like to hear your heart thoughts again as well. Thank you in advance for the prayers and good wishes I already feel coming my way!
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