Harmony and Hormones

As I have grown older I have become notably more sentimental. Babies almost always being laughter and tears to my eyes, as do so many glimpsed relationships in the parish. I remember asking one of our elderly members, dying of black lung disease, whether he was ready to leave behind the pain and suffering of this life. I will never forget his answer, "No," he said, "because life is sweet." Even with lungs no longer able to provide oxygen to get up and walk to the front door, life for him was sweet. My renal cancer will be addressed by surgery next Thursday. The prostate cancer is being treated by injections of Lupron, a hormone that eliminates the production of testosterone. I suppose any emotional moments can now be attributed to the hormone therapy. On the other hand, having a life threatening illness does provide a special filter through which to see worship. The simple promises of prayer and scripture seem more personal than ever, and hymns take on new meaning when sung from a place where one can almost see the horizon of life in the distance. I welcome the tears and cherish the deeper impact of familiar liturgy. Posted by Donel at August 15, 2004 10:56 PM