Heart thread - 02/23/2012

From David in Montreal:

beloved Giants
grounds for gratitude: my dear Mam who will be 90 this November woke from a nap to incapacitating pain in her back, yesterday after getting back from Church.unable to get out of her chair, there was a phone within reach and she called one of my sisters who lives out in the burbs near her and who has a car.
taken to the hospital, turns out she has a fractured spine, has been given medication for the pain and is staying with one of my four sisters overnight.
at her age it could have been a lot worse, so i am profoundly grateful.

i will be going out tomorrow to spend the day with Mam and get a better idea of what we need to do to support her during her convalesence.
in the meantime, I would also beg your prayers for the people of Syria and most particularly for the people of Homs who are being bombarded mercilessly by the tyrant, 24/7
a Muslim friend asks that you ask not only that the people of Syria be delivered, but that the extreme violence which has been inflicted on the people of Syria become a teaching moment for the Islamic leadership.

thank-you my beloved Giants
love always-always Love

The Prayer List is back at Of Course I Could Be Wrong. (Hooray!)

A huge THANK YOU to all who have loved, prayed, and meditated as I battle with cellulitis. I saw the doc this morning. Off antibiotics, finally. Blood tests have returned to normal. Compression and elevation. At the first sign of fever, chills, sweats I resume pills and call the office. Otherwise, back to daily life.

On the work front: A new company won the contract for the work we do. They seem like good people to work for and they hope to retain us. We had interviews today. The remaining question is how many of us they can afford within their bid. We should all hear within the next two days. Thanks for those holding me and my colleagues in prayer. If I can stay on I shall be a very happy bear.

My friends have so many needs and bear so many woes of others, I just offer a general prayer that all may find the grace they need.

--the BB

R.I.P. James O'Donnell

I learned this evening that James O'Donnell died peacefully at home this morning. James, aka Jimmy the O, was a UCLA friend of Bill's before I met Bill and one of the first people I met after meeting Bill. Jimmy was the life of a party, a great host and cook, someone who brought people together. He was one of several librarians who have been important in my life. He was taken way too young by cancer and that is a great sadness. He is survived by his partner Ben.

An acrostic poem I wrote when James turned fifty:

Upon the Occasion of Your Natal Festivity

Jim, how might I, at this mid-century moment, begin to describe, recount,
Affirm the blessing of your friendship? Those fortunate enough to
Meet you, share your table, hear your story, and most simply to
Enjoy your presence over time can all attest to the loving core that
Shines through your laughter, radiates in your embrace, and gifts us all.

Often you have joined with Holy Spirit, bringing souls together in love,
Drawing diversity into relationship, enabling community and communion.
Over the decades you have been steadfast, compassionate, present.
None can adequately praise the gift of you, nor say thanks enough.
Now that we celebrate the gracious act of God, enriching the cosmos-
Enough you say, yet it is true-with a particular configuration of energy, matter,
Love demands we say what we have known. James, your
Life has helped our lives become more whole. For you, we give God thanks.

Rest in peace, Jimmy; into paradise may the angels lead you.

--the BB