Burying My Ashes

Tonight I watched 72 people attend a new program we started at our parish. And tonight as I "wound down" watching Grey's Anatomy (season 4 on DVD, since we don't have cable and I'm therefore a season behind) I was reminded of how much we can be haunted by our pasts unless we put those ashes to rest. There are days (as I hope any clergyman would admit) when I have wondered what I'm doing as a priest. Each of us in holy orders had a life before those orders (and those who didn't, well, let's pray for them!). And at times those "past lives" can come back and haunt us, asking:

• "How successful might you have been if you'd carried on in theatre?"
• "Why did you choose this particular brand of Christian denomination when you came from several others that at times look much more dazzling?"
• "Vancouver Island, and that life you knew, is a long way away, isn't it?"

This morning during matins I felt renewed and refreshed and had a sense of anticipation and excitement for the priestly life I am living. And then tonight 72 people showed up for our new program. This his huge! I had significant conversations with a handful of young people, I met new people, and I saw the looks of joy on the faces of this parish.

Every once in a while the ashes of my past life start haunting me. So every once in a while I have to go and get the spade and put them to rest again.

Wordle of Luke's Gospel

Check out this link. This site will take any text you give it and will create a collage of words, sized based on the frequency of their occurance. This is the entire Gospel of Luke in the TNIV translation. I think it says a lot!

http://wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/242874/Gospel_of_Luke

things to remember as a parent about vomiting

Well, I just got off the phone with our family physician (who just happens to be one of my parishioners) because our 4 year old has been vomiting for about 10 hours (every 15 minutes or so). What a blessing it is to be able to call. I was hesistant to phone him, but then it dawned on me: how do I respond when people are worried and call me (as a "professional care giver") for a bit of advice? I am happy to be there for them, and I would be hurt if they thought otherwise. So, I called. His advice, which I am posting here for my own future reference, is:

-DON'T GIVE GRAVOL (except under a physician's advice) since the grogginess that ensues means that it is impossible to know if their listlessness or lethargy is to do with dehydration!
-keep her drinking clear fluids EVEN IF SHE KEEPS VOMITING THEM UP. He says it is amazing how much can actually be absorbed before they vomit again.
-make sure she is urinating - a huge sign that she is not getting dehydrated.
-small bits of blood in the vomit does not need to really alarm me, since the wretching can cause small tears in the throat. BUT, lots of blood or a "coffee ground" consistency is potential problem (ie. needs to be seen by a doctor).
-watch for sore throat, fevers, and other things she might be complaining about (if in doubt on these, call a doctor or nurse help line). A fever that is not too high (101 degrees rectal) can be simply treated with tylenol.

So, don't take this as a medical advice. This is just a reminder note for me. When in doubt call a nurse hotline or an emergency department. And, please pray for our sick 4 year old.