The Frailty and Tenderness of Life

 

I went into a state of numbness this morning. I do it so infrequently that I had to ask myself what was going on. I came to realize that I was succumbing to the pain of those around me, and protecting myself in this primitive way:

I received a forwarded text from a friend who had met regularly with me and our friend Earl (whom some of you may remember); we studied together for an hour every week for many months, until Earl, 88 years old, passed away. Today my friend forwarded a text from Earl’s daughter, thanking us for the time we had spent with him and how much he loved it, and how much she missed him. I miss him, too.

And all I can do is pray.

Another friend whose husband was in the hospital for several weeks for a number of health problems returned home. A former NYC cop, at 88 he has come home frail and bedridden.

And all I can do is pray.

A very dear friend recently lost her husband, once a bright and robust man.

And all I can do is pray.

Another friend has a child going into surgery this morning.

And all I can do is pray.

* * * *

This morning when I prepared for my early walk, I placed an anniversary card next to my husband’s placemat on the kitchen table. I saw that he must have put out his card for me last night; it rested against the salt shaker. I decided to wait to open it so that we could open our cards together.

It is our 46th anniversary.

The numbness begins to dissipate as love and gratitude burn it away.

And all I can do is pray.

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There are 14 comments.

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  1. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Happy anniversary, Susan!

    Susan Quinn:

    And all I can do is pray.

     

    And know that He hears you.

    The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
    the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
    the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.

    • #1
  2. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Percival (View Comment):

    Happy anniversary, Susan!

    Susan Quinn:

    And all I can do is pray.

    And know that He hears you.

    The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
    the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
    the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.

    Thank you for this, @percival. Thank you.

    • #2
  3. Fritz Coolidge
    Fritz
    @Fritz

    These words give comfort in the time of troubles:

    “For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.”  Job 19:25

    • #3
  4. EODmom Coolidge
    EODmom
    @EODmom

    Happy blessed day, Susan. You pray, He listens. Always.  

    • #4
  5. Unsk Member
    Unsk
    @Unsk

    Very touching. Happy Anniversary Susan. 

    • #5
  6. iWe Coolidge
    iWe
    @iWe

    May G-d bless you when you come in, and when you go out. (Deut. 28:6)

    • #6
  7. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Good reminder Susan.

    All any of us can do is pray

    • #7
  8. She Member
    She
    @She

    Susan, the stories you share about Earl, and all your friends, and your prayers for us all are what lift us up.  Never forget that:

    Happy anniversary to you and Mr. Susan.  I hope at least one of you can have a margarita (or something) for me.

    • #8
  9. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    She (View Comment):

    Susan, the stories you share about Earl, and all your friends, and your prayers for us all are what lift us up. Never forget that:

    Happy anniversary to you and Mr. Susan. I hope at least one of you can have a margarita (or something) for me.

    I’ll let him know! Thanks, She, that really helps the sadness lift.

    • #9
  10. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

     I think most of us are already on such a heightened sense of alert, including anxiety and worry, even if we try not to. How can we not – civil unrest, this terrible virus (our county puts out new numbers daily and its going up with younger people especially, but thankfully no deaths in a few months!) and its uncertainty, the economy, the upcoming election, our personal issues, aging, health.  It is very unsettling and very normal to feel unhinged. Sometimes you have to tune it all out – go outdoors – listen to birds. It seems the simplest things restore a sense of balance. 

    The best line this week came from the Greg Gutfeld Show where @greggutfeld said, “So what’s next, a civil war or an asteroid? The best thing is we’re halfway through the year, and the worst thing is we’re only halfway through the year!”  FUNNY!

    Happiest Anniversary to both of you! :-)

    • #10
  11. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):

    I think most of us are already on such a heightened sense of alert, including anxiety and worry, even if we try not to. How can we not – civil unrest, this terrible virus (our county puts out new numbers daily and its going up with younger people especially, but thankfully no deaths in a few months!) and its uncertainty, the economy, the upcoming election, our personal issues, aging, health. It is very unsettling and very normal to feel unhinged. Sometimes you have to tune it all out – go outdoors – listen to birds. It seems the simplest things restore a sense of balance.

    The best line this week came from the Greg Gutfeld Show where @greggutfeld said, “So what’s next, a civil war or an asteroid? The best thing is we’re halfway through the year, and the worst thing is we’re only halfway through the year!” FUNNY!

    Happiest Anniversary to both of you! :-)

    I like Greg G too, FSC–he’s brilliant. Thanks for the good wishes, too.

    • #11
  12. ShaunaHunt Inactive
    ShaunaHunt
    @ShaunaHunt

    Happy Anniversary! Your post made me tear up.

    God bless you!

    • #12
  13. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Susan Quinn: It is our 46th anniversary.

    Happy anniversary!

    Growing old sucks for a lot of reasons, but losing family and friends to old age (and all the illnesses and diseases that go with it) has to be the worst, other than losing children.

    • #13
  14. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Susan – I just did a post on marriage. Can you say impart what wisdom you have to younger generations? 46 years of marriage is a wonderful and blessed testimony.

    • #14
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