One more cup of coffee for the road ([info]myasma) wrote,
2005-08-31 17:23:00
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home (for the moment)

I arrived home late monday night after a 950 mile drive through some of the most desolate country I have ever seen.

I woke up yesterday morning, and wondered "what do I do now?". I don't want to go back to the hospital. I don't want to just sit around. I'm not ready to decide on the priesthood, or graduate school, or whatever.

Lacking a plan, I went to mass at the little franciscan church. The priest talked about how we can fret about the future, but it really does us no good, since it is unknown. He suggested that we instead simply do the things that are set before us, right now.

I came home and looked at my friends list. I saw this: "If every person who has wasted a few brain cells and a pocket full of money partying in New Orleans would open up their hearts and their wallets and send some assistance..., and it got me thinking about what I could do. For a moment, I was paralyzed by the enormity of it. what difference would it make if I did anything or not?

But then I took a look at myself and thought about the gifts and skills that I have. I am a nurse and a deacon, and I have almost absolute freedom to do whatever I want, at least for the time being. I called the Red Cross and asked if they needed a nurse.

I took a bunch of classes there today in preparation for working in a disaster response team. I'll take the medical class tomorrow. I have made myself available for immediate deployment to wherever they need me, and for whatever they need me to do. Maybe early next week.

You know what it feels like? It feels like I am repaying a debt, although it is hard to explain. The people of NOLA were so kind to me when I was there for a month when my mom was sick. It was there, in the St. Louis Cathedral, that I heard God ask me to become a deacon. Maybe it is for the New Orleans people on my friends list, who were so caring and supportive when Arlina was sick.

Maybe it is for me. As I sat in class today, it felt like my life had finally started again.

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[info]saladbar

September 1 2005, 00:53:33 UTC 6 years ago

That is so wonderful that you can help!

[info]oheunoia

September 1 2005, 01:01:12 UTC 6 years ago

i have that pulp card on my wall!

[info]saladbar

6 years ago

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[info]calledisrael

September 1 2005, 00:55:50 UTC 6 years ago

wow ~ that's amazing. i am so glad. i pray for you, friend - for the people you will serve and bless and care for... and the ways being there will do the same for you.

god is with you.

[info]carocrow

September 1 2005, 00:56:22 UTC 6 years ago

God Bless You, Sweetheart.

Life finds a way, like flowers in the cracks of a sidewalk.

Thank you for being so generous.

[info]imgomez

September 1 2005, 01:00:18 UTC 6 years ago

Thank you

This post just made my heart swell.

Bless you. I mean that in the deepest sense.

[info]oheunoia

September 1 2005, 01:00:45 UTC 6 years ago

people like you make this world pretty okay. i thank you on behalf of the people that you will help. you are awesome.

[info]ldygwynedd

September 1 2005, 01:01:01 UTC 6 years ago

Wow, Mike. I truly and deeply honor you.

Thank you so much for teaching me about truth and trust. Thank you.

[info]jmhm

September 1 2005, 01:19:40 UTC 6 years ago

I am a much less charitable and forgiving person than God is, and if I think you rock as much as I do you must be on his top [some multiple of ten] list.

Bless your heart.

[info]sonria

September 1 2005, 01:19:42 UTC 6 years ago

What a way to return! Welcome back.

[info]errantpenny

September 1 2005, 01:23:53 UTC 6 years ago

This may sound strange, but I don't know how else to say it:

This is the most beautiful thing I have read all day.

[info]fried_pearl

September 1 2005, 01:24:14 UTC 6 years ago

God bless you, Mike. I read the first paragraph of your post, and thought, "He needs to go to New Orleans and help." Then I read the next part. God is calling you where you are needed.

[info]judywatt

September 1 2005, 01:28:35 UTC 6 years ago

i am so happy that you are able to go and help out there in person.
most of us can only send money and prayers, but it's such a blessing that others can go in person and especially with the skills that you have. the people there need you so much!

we will be thinking of you and sending great big gobs of love with you.

[info]consume

September 1 2005, 01:37:46 UTC 6 years ago

Arlina Would Be Proud

[info]detroitfather

September 1 2005, 01:37:51 UTC 6 years ago

Wow ... that is very cool.

[info]pbsage

September 1 2005, 01:43:45 UTC 6 years ago

blessed, blessed, blessed.

mike you spent your time in the wilderness. way was made clear. amazing. simply amazing.

[info]idasusan

September 1 2005, 01:44:17 UTC 6 years ago

How wonderful!! Go and do good work. Love to you.

[info]pumpkin_pie_m

September 1 2005, 01:48:17 UTC 6 years ago

What a wonderful and loving thing to do. Bless you. ♥

[info]purple7luv

September 1 2005, 01:57:44 UTC 6 years ago

Yes.

[info]zhenzhi

September 1 2005, 01:58:56 UTC 6 years ago

you are such a beautiful soul. :-)

[info]lavidamd

September 1 2005, 02:03:01 UTC 6 years ago

Wow! That's so amazing! I wish you the very best of luck with everything.

[info]tiwonge

September 1 2005, 02:06:22 UTC 6 years ago

Sounds perfect.

I'm sure that those of us who can't go are with you in spirit.

[info]ms_priestypants

September 1 2005, 02:11:02 UTC 6 years ago

Awesome.

[info]_chandra

September 1 2005, 02:16:30 UTC 6 years ago

Great!

You really are amazing. Always proud to know you.

ps. stop making me cry!

[info]drood

September 1 2005, 02:19:23 UTC 6 years ago

I'm all choked up now.

[info]pinkroo

September 1 2005, 02:20:51 UTC 6 years ago

I am sitting here in the public library grinning my face off--thank you for being willing. My prayers are with you.

[info]daisydumont

September 1 2005, 02:27:19 UTC 6 years ago

>The priest talked about how we can fret about the future, but it really does us no good, since it is unknown. He suggested that we instead simply do the things that are set before us, right now.

that is so very true. i can use those words too.

best wishes (and prayers) to you as you start on this work. i hope you'll find time eventually to tell us about it.
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