Progress Report 2-14

I probably wouldn’t have posted this week if it wasn’t to update you a bit on Heather’s condition. I think I owe you that much since I roped you all into praying for her. As of this Monday I knew from the nurses that she was still in the hospital but did not have much more detail. I had called last week and left a message at her parent’s. Yesterday her mom called me back telling me that she was indeed in the hospital for 2 weeks and that finally they found the source of the headaches which unfortunately was related to her cancer. But the good news was she was starting a new treatment that will give her relief so she can go back home and resume the treatments at the clinic. So I hope I will be able to see her when I get back. She’s not out of the woods yet so please keep her in your prayers.
This visit was fairly uneventful, except it was the first time my port kind of blocked and Sarah had to pump it a few times before it worked again. We did not need to roto-root it; it’s like plumbing sometimes the tube gets build-up and you have to get it cleaned. It is not a big deal, Sarah assured me. She asked me how I was doing and I told her as usual I am great but I am so done with this ritual I said. But then I caught my impatient “self” and remembered that it will all happen in good time. Impatience breads anxiety which can take me into a spiral and spin out of control. I am developing the skill of catching myself before I ever get to that point and though still not perfect I think I am getting better at it. I can’t really complain I told Sarah because really there is nothing to complain about. I have seen more blessings this year than ever in my entire life or maybe it feels that way because I just think that this year’s soul searching and mind training revealed to me all the blessings I had already received in my entire life. It is not nostalgia but more like tasting something good hours after having consumed it and I have come to believe that blessings and happy moments have an eternal after effect that we can always recall if we don’t stifle them with all the needless anxieties and frustrations. So yes I keep working on my patience.
Since I have you reading I will test you patience and tell you the story of that day’s encounter. You know they are not always at the clinic.
My patience was again tested that afternoon as I took the plans downtown to the building department. (Can you believe they are done and bids are in the works and we hope to break ground March 1st)? I had enough change to feed the meter for 20 minutes, just enough time to run up and get back. I was about to cross the street when a man approached me. My kids will recognize this scene because for some reason of all the people in the street, the homeless, whether they are genuine or not always pick me. I think I have a big SUCKER printed on my forehead and it doesn’t matter how many times it happens I always stop, listen and give – it is something I picked up from my father. This man, an African American middle aged and missing all his front teeth carrying a beat-up leather brief case, stopped me and asked if he could ask me a question. I was expecting the usual “can you spare a dollar or I need a bus ticket to go home or I haven’t eaten …etc.” but instead he begins with: “I see you have plans in your hand, are you a courier for the architect or engineer? He spoke with a stutter and his head bobbed from right to left with the words which would make one think that he is not all together there. “No. I replied; I am the architect. Oh… his eyes widened with surprise and a wider smile: “you’re an architect of a different color… you are a woman” he was laughing as if he stumbled onto the Loch Ness monster that no one believes exists. Ah … I said: I am. I had not thought of myself as a woman-architect in a very long time. At that point I really was not sure what he wanted because the opening line was very unusual. “Do you mind if I ask where you are from?” he had detected my accent. I am from Egypt. How long have you been here? Answer: 30 years. Question: Cairo?… Born and raised? He knew the capital. Yes I answered wondering to myself if I was crossing a border. I can feel the time ticking but he kept going on. There are Egyptian Jews you know. Yes I said and there are Christians and Muslims too…and maybe even a couple of Buddhists, feeling the pressure to move on but not able to. He continued telling me the story of the Jews crossing the Red Sea which he says is not the red see but the Sea of Reeds, where they found chariots’ wheels. He had seen it on National Geographic TV. He kept on with the story and at this point you probably feel the same way I felt, mainly puzzled and a little bit impatient not really hearing what he was saying and thinking about the plans I need to drop off. I finally told him I had to go. Not so easy. One more second, he opens his bag and pulls some sort of device and asks me if I need my car’s upholstery fixed and polished. Not really I don’t. I really have to go. One more question. Are you Christian? Yes I am. What is your favorite song about Jesus? Amazing Grace is all I can think of wondering if it qualifies. I love the song. So he goes on telling me everything he knows about the song, who wrote it, who sang it, what year… I really have to go. Not so fast. Finally…he tells me about this sandwich place at the corner of the street…Subway…they sell this one foot sub for 5 dollars. Aha…5 dollars will buy me a ticket out of this but he was not about to just let me give him the money. He insisted that he had to give me something in return that is why he offers the upholstery service and since I refused that, while I was reaching for my wallet he stood straight and began singing of the top of his lungs “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound….” serenading me and the entire street. How could I not be touched? I thanked him and gave him the money and ran into the building with his voice lingering behind me. That short encounter reminded me that things aren’t always what they appear to be. I did not look like an architect to him and he did not look like an educated man to me. In my impatience I forgot to ask him his name but then I thought that he could just a well have been an angel in disguise singing God’s praises and reminding me of my blessings. For 5 bucks what a bargain.
For those who don’t know the song here are the lyrics by John Newton (1725-1807) published 1779
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.