Monday, April 5, 2010
When Brother Clay left this morning, he made sure I had the large box with my mail from the past three weeks.
Again, I’ve received piles of get well cards and letters. People share their own struggles to overcome, offer prayers and hope, advice and recipes, cartoons and pictures, prayer books and medals, and even some original art work.
I was torn between reading through them and watching the White Sox opening day on TV. So, I did both.
Baseball is a leisurely game, and doesn’t require constant attention, so I sat down in the common room with my box and started reading. When the game got exciting, I paid closer attention, and during the lulls, I read a few more notes.
Some were from names I recognized right away, but many shared this common sentiment – “although we’ve never met, through your letters I feel like we’re old friends and I just wanted you to know we’re thinking of you …”
There are so many folks who, over the years, have been such a blessing to St. Joseph’s and now are a real blessing to me.
I had the first seven innings to myself and the letters. The last two innings, I was joined by a couple of other sports fans who came back from their treatments; the talk turned more to baseball and a little to sharing our medical stories.
My team won, and it was a lovely way to spend a good part of the afternoon.