Today, I am thankful for forgiveness, again.
All that we ought to have thought and have not thought,
All that we ought to have said, and have not said,
All that we ought to have done, and have not done;
All that we ought not to have thought,
and yet have thought,
All that we ought not to have spoken,
and yet have spoken,
All that we ought not to have done,
and yet have done;
For thoughts, words and works,
pray we, O God, for forgiveness.
~ Persian prayer
What a difference a week of intense rehab and therapy makes.
This afternoon, S and I visit Tom for a few hours. I am amazed at how young he looks. His face, unwrinkled, skin taut and smooth. His eyes, even his right, lazy one - clear and bluer than ever.
His attention still shifts between downloading a vast storage of memories (all related to his practice) and paying attention to "in the moment" events (e.g., the attendant making his bed). We catch glimpses of the "old" Tom - the way he sits with his left leg bent, left ankle resting on right knee; how he gestures while speaking; the tilt of his head when he wants to tell me something important; his impatience when things aren't happening quickly enough.
The prayer cited above is for Tom's team of friends, the nine of us who have the family's permission to visit him. None of us are practicing medical professionals (although B is a retired dentist).
We're making our share of mistakes as we attempt to communicate with him, calm his emotions and assuage his frustrations. We don't always say the right thing or act perfectly, but we all love and care deeply for Tom.
I think he knows this and, in his own way, has already forgiven our trespasses.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
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