Prayer request from our brother David

I'd ask your prayers for dear brother Paul's Jannita who [began chemo last week], and for Gwendolyn's Jim who is to be prepped for radiotheraphy on the newly-discovered cancer in his brain.

prayers for justice for the Lakota man who while undergoing surgery was also violated by some sick individual who carved initials of hate on his chest http://leaveitlay.blogspot.ca/2012/05/cruel-road-map-but-other-way-is-way-of.html. prayers for all those who cry out for justice please. prayers for the two wonderful priests (margaret & Joel) who serve this man.

prayers for a transformative outcome to the vote in North Carolina today. and speaking of transformative opportunities, prayers for the peope of France and Greece: that they not abandon their inter-connectivity with the rest of creation and they try with their new governments to 'save themselves.'

prayers for the people Syria, for the people of Darfur, for the healing of Charles Taylor's victims.

prayers for the people who live in the shadow of the Mexican-American border, and those who sacrifice their lives there.

prayers for John Andrews and B.C.'s discenment. for all those in discernment. prayers for those needing a way forward. prayers for all those gathered up in Bishop Steven's powerful prayer/blessing today.

birthday blessings for Jane whose day it is.

thank-you beloved Giants

love always- always Love

David@Montreal

Heart thread - 04/18/2012

My sister reports that my niece Jann's surgery went well and things look good. Now, of course, we await the pathology report. Jannita has a good attitude and the doctors are encouraged.

Thanks to all who have held her in prayer.

--the BB

Heart thread - 04/14/2012

I ask your prayers for my niece Jannita. My sister reports:

Jannita will be having surgery on Wed. next week. She has stage 2 cancer, a grade three....

This has been rather sudden news.

--the BB

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

Heart thread - 08/08/2011

David@Montreal has some prayer requests for us.

dear Giants
in the generosity of your gracious hearts i'd ask prayers this morning for my cherished cousin Frank, his wife Carol and their family
Frank was re-admitted to hospital this past week-end: barely able to walk, yet incredibly he walked from the car into the emerg..
at first it was believed he had c-difficile again, but it is something new going on, along with MAC, a fungal infection in the lungs.
Carol called Mam late yesterday & it would appear that after a rather extraordinary life my dear cousin might be living through his very last days

prayers also for his latest grandchildren please, born less than a week ago: Katherine and Charlotte- both still in the icu: Charlotte with kidney and oxygen level issues.

prayers for the people of Syria who continue to be assaulted daily by the madman who claims leadership of their country. one for the international students who worked for me at the university is apparently still in the country with her parents.

prayers for President Obama (enough said)

and prayers please for the several Giants, each in their own way undergoing serious trails or discernment at this time ( you know who you are).

thank-you beloved Giants

David@Montreal

And let us remember David who faithfully carries so many in his heart.

--the BB

Heart thread - 05/30/2011 - all hands on deck!

This is a shout out to all my friends and visitors. Kirstin Paisley is living with metastatic melanoma and having a very rough time of it. She and her roommate and caregiver need help. You can read all about it here, and please do.

To all of you who have wondered how you can help: HELP!!!!

We desperately need people who can just quietly be here daytimes on weekdays; having someone here for a few hours on Saturday so I can run errands would also be helpful. If you're local and can come for a day (or even half a day) every week, that would be wonderful. If you're from out of state and can come help out for a few days, or a week or more, that too would be marvelous.

...

Many of our friends have asked if Kirstin needs money. The answer is yes, no, maybe and probably. Neither medical insurance nor hospice covers this kind of in-home care - at most they provide an aide a few hours a week. If we can't find enough friends who can help and need to hire aides, or if the friends who have time are unemployed and can only come if we cover their travel and lodging expenses, then yes, she is going to need lots of money. If you can help cover some of these expenses (and thank you, Lisa and Neil for offering air miles!), or contribute towards other medical costs not covered by insurance, please, please write to Andee.

(For that matter, if you're in the Stockton/Lodi area, do you have a guest room that you'd be willing to make available to friends who are traveling from out of state to help us? Or if you're going to be out of town for part of the next few months, could they borrow your house, if needed? My house is tiny - Kirstin's in the bedroom, I'm sleeping in the living room.)

Other ways you can help--

Handyman skills: I really need to get my front sprinkler systems working again, because I don't have time while taking care of Kirstin to water by hand. (I think the valves just got clogged with dirt when the city repaired the sidewalk a few months ago. At any rate, I hope that's all it is.) We may also have to remove a couple of inside doors and the shower doors temporarily to make it easier for her to move from room to room, and get into the bathtub. If/when we have to bring in a hospital bed, I'll need to put up curtains in the living room, and will need a place to store some furniture (and strong arms/backs to help move it).

Gardening: This will make the second summer in a row that melanoma has taken precedence over gardening. The weeds (and unwanted zillions of baby oak trees) aren't tall - but they are plentiful. If that's your thing, have at it!

And of course prayers, love, emails, tears, hugs. What's sustaining us through this is knowing how many of you are with us. I love you all.

Andee

Paul writing now:

Thanks to all who have held Kirstin in your hearts and upheld her and Andee in prayer.

--the BB

Ce n'est pas un poisson d'avril. - updated (2X)

From Lois Phillips at Facebook:

A prayer request from a friend: URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!!! KAYLA SCOTT'S (friend of Kathy Stanton) 22 MONTH OLD SON SHOT HIMSELF IN THE CHEST WITH A BRAD NAILER~ IT WENT IN HIS HEART~ HE IS NOW IN CRITICAL CONDITION AND NOT DOING WELL ~ NEITHER IS HIS MOM ~PLEASE START A PRAYER CHAIN FOR THIS BABY~ PLEASE COPY & REPOST AS YOU WOULD WANT SOMEONE TO DO IT FOR YOU ~ THANKS

Update: This request bears several marks of an urban legend. Since versions of this story have several names for the mother I am going to conclude that it just that. There is a verified history of this having happened once, however, but it is not an immediate event in that case. I suggest we channel our prayers for all children who experience severe injury or trauma. And if we have prayed over a legend, then our hearts have grown bigger and who cares if we are fools for God? --Paul, 4/4/11.

From David@Montreal:

M'Dears:
a call last evening from my sister Joanne with the incredible news that the tumor on Jacques' pancreas has shrunken to less than half its earlier size.
Jacques and Marion returned to the Gaspe about a month ago when the Montreal hospital was able make arrangements to continue his treatment locally, and incredibly he's actually returned to working on rennovations on a friend's house (part-time).
he's got a couple more treatments in the current round , and then Marion will be taking him to Toronto to be checked out by the leading specialists in Canada are incredulous
those of you who have been so failthfully upholding Jacques and Marion in prayer will remember late last year Jacques spent almost two months in emergency & intensive care and had been given less than a month to live.apparently the specialists are all confounded by this, however we unspecialized folks are literally singing praise to the Source of All Life Healing

love always-always Love

David

--the BB

Heart thread - 03/31/2011

I ask your prayers for the repose of Lou Collins, for Bob and all the family. She is our baby sister Debbie's mother-in-law. Debbie wrote last evening:

I just want to let all of you know that Bob's mom passed away this morning.... We were all gathered together when she passed away shortly before 8am. We are thankful that she did not linger [and] was as comfortable as possible up until the end.

For the repose of my friend Ray's father, who passed on the 21st, and for Ray and his family.

For Kirstin, always.

For Linda Marts.

For the people of Japan and all affected by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster.


For the people of Côte d'Ivoire, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, and Bahrain.

For the people of Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Maine, and Florida as they resist their fascist governors.

For all who seek work. Those among my friends in this category know who they are.

Thanksgiving that my friend Kathy is employed again.

--the BB

Heart thread - 03/10/2010

I ask your prayers for Angie who anxiously awaits results of a biopsy.

For all who are out of work.

For all who stand up to corporate power in the name of workers and those crushed by greed with clout.

For those who rally and fight for freedom, for justice, for equality.

--the BB

Heart thread - 03/01/2011

On this feast of David of Menevia I ask your prayers for David@Montreal and Hermano David.

I most earnestly entreat your prayers for Kirstin who enters the shadowed valley. You may follow her journey here.


--the BB

Heart thread - 02/18/2011 - updated

Let us hold Kirstin in our hearts. Her status at FB says it all.

Brain mets. Fuuuuuuuuuuuck.

Update: You can read more at her blog.


Most High and Glorious,
Lowly and Generous,
Sweet God,
Strong and Swift to Save,

By your joy in making all things,
By your passion in saving all things,
By your grace in keeping all things,

Hear the prayers of your servant,
Give ear to the prayers of your friends,
Hearken to the voice of those who love you,
And show mercy to those who know not your love;

Fashion anew your Image in us,
Keep us by your tender love,
Save us and guide us safely home;

For your own sake, Who pity mortal flesh,
For your own dear sake, Who took our mortal flesh,
For your mercy's sake, Who are the Life of mortal flesh,

Holy and Glorious, Gracious Three,
Save us and guide us safely home,
Save us and guide us safely home.
Amen.

--the BB

Heart thread - 02/11/2011 - updated

I ask your prayers for Sandi.

Will you please include me on your prayer list? Things kinda rough right now.
Feel very dark.
Love,
Sandi

May Light surround her and radiate from within her.

For my nephew Jay who had part of a root canal done yesterday but it needs to be finished next week.

For Diane who has challenges on multiple fronts right now.

For my sister Shirley who recovers from the fender-bender but has a lot of medical catch-up to do.

For my grandniece Hannah who celebrated her birthday yesterday (12 going on 16, says her grandmother).

For myself in that I came down with a chest cold yesterday. Stayed home today and spent many hours sleeping. Plan to continue that all weekend. Among the many with no paid sick live, so I need to get back to work as soon as prudent. Pray for healing and prudence.

For Nate and Ken who move through difficult transitions.

For the unemployed and homeless. For those without natural gas (or other methods of heating) during the winter storms.

For the people of Egypt and transition to a more democratic government. For the people of Yemen, Syria, and Tunisia. For the people of southern Sudan.

For a blessing on the full communion between the Moravian Church in North America and the Episcopal Church.

UPDATE:
Continued prayers for Tom and his wife Connie.

Dear family & friends,

Please give great thanks to whatever spiritual power you relate to: the results of the scan are as good as they could be under the circumstances-- he has stage 2, NOT stage 3 [pancreatic] cancer. The tumor is "locally advanced," but has not metastasized to surrounding areas.

This means that instead of a projected 3 to 6 month life span, he may have a year or more; it means that he is a candidate for chemotherapy AND radiation rather than just chemo only. This MAY also mean that if these treatments sufficiently shrink the tumor, the tumor MIGHT be operable. Please keep your prayers going!

What a difference a couple of days and a test make.

Love and Blessings,
Con

Please add your own intercessions and thanksgivings in comments.

--the BB

Heart thread - 02/01/2011

Some of this evening's prayers are running behind schedule but the human heart and divine activity are not limited by schedules.

At Facebook I had asked prayers for Nate. He is suddenly single, has been out of work for a while, and struggles with depression. He feels lost but he knows you lot will be praying for him.

I ask your prayers for Kathy who is looking for work. And Jonathan and so many other online friends who need recompensed employment.

I ask your prayers for my sister Shirley and her husband Jack. They are the ones in the car accident last week. The newest news from late last night:

Shirley had a upper GI today and her heart acted up, raced then slowed, so they admitted her.

She is not doing well physically or emotionally right now.

For Olga and Regina and for Mark and Fran.

For Bill as he travels in California this week.

For all endangered by weather, throughout the world. Winter storms over half the United States, a Cyclone Yasi threatening Queensland, the eruption of Shinmoe Peak in Japan, and all the other life-threatening events. I think now especially of those who lack shelter, food, or warmth.

For IT, whose father died last night, for her mother and for BP and all touched by sorrow.

David@Montreal sent this request last Friday:

beloved Giants
i'd ask your prayers please for my cherished cousin Frank out in Brittish Columbia struggling with the effects of his long fight with lukemia.
dear Mam received a call from Carol this afternoon, and in the process also got to speak to Frank for a very short while.
able to control the spread of the fungus in his lungs, but unable to beat it with his immune system so seriously compromised by the most recent gene therapy transfer, they have sent him home from the hospital. not fully mobile, my cousin is a robust fellow and Carol is going to have to get help for handling him.apparently he spends much of the time sleeping at present.
as he is still intubated there will be medical staff going in daily to maintain it, and Frank will be returning to the hospital weekly for as long as he is able.
so i'd ask your prayers for both Frank and Carol, knowing that through the unfailing grace of that 'Love beyond our wildest imagining' they will be given what they need.

i'd also ask your prayer for dear Mam, his godmother, who at eighty-nine is finding it challenging, the possibility that her beloved godson/nephew could be dying before her.

in other quarters, i'd ask your prayers for the people of Tunisia, Egypt and Sanaa; that they indeed are able to claim that 'life more abundantly'. prayers particularly please for our Coptic brothers and sisters in Egypt- for their protection and safety. prayers please for the repose of David Kato, the gay Ugandan martyr, and for our LGBT brothers and sisters at risk wherever they might be.

prayers for the Great +Katherine and her brother primates in Dublin. prayers for Gabby and Mark and for all those struggling to heal in Tucson.

thank-you beloveds

love always-always Love

We also pray for the people of Egypt as the world focuses on the protests and the calls for reform there. We also pray for the people of Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan, and Syria. For the people of Southern Sudan as they work toward independence following the election.

For Nelson Mandela.


--the BB

Heart thread - 01/24/2011

My sister Iva just sent me word that our sister Shirley and her husband Jack were in an accident yesterday.

Shirley and Jack were in a accident this morning in bad fog! Their car is totaled, but they were checked out at the hospital and no broken bones or blood. Probably gonna be really sore tomorrow. Paula and Rick [their daughter and her husband] had just left for home and had gotten as far as Madera so turned around and came back. I saw them this afternoon and they were doing alright. P and R are staying until tomorrow.

May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

--the BB

Heart thread - 01/22/2011

I just received distressing news from the Rev. Pamela Cranston, Vicar of St Cuthbert's, Oakland:

The Rev. Connie Hartquist Jacobs phoned me early this morning to share the distressing news that her husband, Tom Jacobs, a valuable and faithful member of this parish, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. They went to Kaiser hospital in Fresno last night and after extensive tests, he was diagnosed early this morning. Apparently, Tom has a very large mass on his bile duct. She [said] they would be learning more about his case as the doctors do more tests.

Please keep Tom and Connie in your fervent prayers at this time.

Deacon Connie was a dear friend all through my journey in the Diocese of California and I got to witness some of the twists and turns of her own journey. She and Tom found each other and their wedding was a cause of great joy to many. They recently retired and had a new home built in the California foothills and begun to enjoy it. Now this.

Conclusion of A Lindisfarne Litany

Most High and Glorious,
Lowly and Generous,
Sweet God,
Strong and Swift to Save,

By your joy in making all things,
By your passion in saving all things,
By your grace in keeping all things,

Hear the prayers of your servant,
Give ear to the prayers of your friends,
Hearken to the voice of those who love you,
And show mercy to those who know not your love;

Fashion anew your Image in us,
Keep us by your tender love,
Save us and guide us safely home;

For your own sake, Who pity mortal flesh,
For your own dear sake, Who took our mortal flesh,
For your mercy's sake, Who are the Life of mortal flesh,

Holy and Glorious, Gracious Three,
Save us and guide us safely home,
Save us and guide us safely home.
Amen.

(Litany (c) by me)
--the BB

Heart thread - 01/07/2011

My friend Ryan's grandfather has died and tonight was the wake. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. May those who love him find comfort. May Ryan be sustained and return safely to school.

In very good news, my dear friend Kathy has a new job and begins work on Monday. This was, blessedly, a very short time unemployed. May she shine in the new position and find satisfaction in it.

The other Cathy is still battling that nasty flu and needs to be working. May her health return swiftly, her vigor increase, and her employment suffice.

Let us also remember to uphold MP in prayer and, where possible, in financial support of his ministry.

Another overlong update on me, me, me:

I did not sleep well (or enough) last night so today had a very rough start. I think my nose is at the healing stage where it is just tender. Sort of that easily irritable phase, like a wound when it itches and you know that's a good sign but it's driving you nuts and you cannot scratch it. For my nose's sake it would be lovely if my facial muscles would go all botox for a few days and not move. Smiling, laughing, yawning, whatever makes nose muscles move and that is unpleasant. Washing my face is a challenge. (Just try it without moving a nose muscle.) I began the day in a foul, miserable mood. [I never promised to be a patient, happy convalescent.]

Still, each day I breathe a bit more easily. Dennis came by to visit which was very nice. Tomorrow I am going to venture forth and take a walk to the pharmacy and back. It is a mile each way, so should not be difficult. This will be nice exercise and that walk has nice views across the Rio Grande Valley since I am on the high part of the west side and there are fields not yet turned into housing tracts. Bill will bring nice leftovers from the meal he is cooking tonight, so I will have something lovely and different to eat.

The long rest period is making more sense on an experiential level now. Serious stuff was done to straighten out my septum and it needs to heal properly. It is incredibly easy to do something to one's nose that will undermine that. My face is vulnerable and sore. One thoughtless moment could undo a lot. And my body needs more rest than usual (and has actually gotten much less in the first few days). So: patience, Mr. Bear. Chill and let it happen. Be gentle to yourself. Your breathing-improved nose needs time to stabilize.

There. Pep talk given and received. So now to bed.

Sweet dreams, poppets!
--the BB

Heart thread - Epiphany 2011

A call to prayer from David:

beloved Giants
I've just had news that Paul has brought Mark home from the hospital after early morning surgery on the damaged eye. (retina torn twice since Christmas Eve and immobility of the head since then). Mark as you might remember is one of America's finest poets with what's got to be close to a dozen books published. Paul, his spouse is a excellent writer with two volumes (one novel, the other essays) published, and the two of them are both gifted, generous teachers and beautifully thoughtful men. I'd ask your prayers for both men please. Mark is in quite a bit of pain this evening, and it will be sometime before the outcome of the surgery is known.

Prayers for Frank and Carol as they continue their daily treck to and from the hospital to beat what for Frank is a life-threatening fungus in his lungs.

Prayers or healing, strength and energetic restoration for dear Paul the BB, who underwent serious sinus surgery at the beginning of the week. Thankfully Paul is at home recovering; but here too the outcome of the surgery is still to be determined.

Prayers for the people of Haiti, as they continue to suffer while waiting for their government to 'get real' ( please see today's Oxfam report on the Hatian government inactivity http://oxfam.qc.ca/sites/oxfam.qc.ca/files/Haiti%20Briefing%20Paper%204%201%2011_FINAL.pdf )

thank-you Beloved Giants

love always-always Love

David@Montreal

Thank you, David, for keeping us updated and inviting us into deeper connectedness.

I think my sinus surgery is actually deemed routine rather than serious, though when one signs consents the risk list is always scary. I believe #14 or 15 was "death." Well, yes. One of my aunts never emerged from an operating table conscious. But we assumed this would be reasonably simple and except for some heavy, but not too threatening, bleeding it was straightforward.

This morning I shaved for the first time since Saturday. That felt good. I have managed to remove the "nose bag" as blood has mostly stopped draining. I am taking pain pills but I am not hurting. I breathe more easily each day. Kathy and Bill both came by to see me. I watered my back yard (some of the bulbs are sticking up their little noses already). Bill helped me do some January organizing, since I am not allowed to lift or bend over. I got about seven hours of decent sleep last night (interrupted by three hours of wakefulness in the wee hours). This is huge progress and gives me hope for catching up on rest. Michal Anne and Gail sent me a cookie basket (can't eat flowers, ya know) and the palliative and restorative effects of therapeutic cookies is well known. Tonight I will finish up the lovely chicken soup Bruce made.

And every day I get so many lovely notes here and on Facebook and in private e-mails. I could not feel more supported. My love and gratitude to y'all.

--the BB

Christmas 2010 (with intercessions)

My photos are tardy because I left my camera at Bill's on Christmas Day and only retrieved it amid last night's festivities.

Here is my tree with all my wonderful children gathered around it.


Blogs are almost as notorious as Facebook for having way too much information on them but if anyone is so vulgar as to wonder with whom I've been sleeping for the past several years it's the larger furry fellow in the lower right corner: His Orthodox Majesty Maximiliano Cuauhtémoc Juárez Primo, Emperor of El Cerrito, Archduke of Hercules, and Margrave of the Great River. You have to hand it to him for claiming territories wherever he goes. He is known as Cocoa to his friends.

Christmas Morning from Bill's living room

Cranes viewed from Bob and Janet's dining room

The portal at Bill's house with the luminarias lit*

* Yes, in Santa Fe these are farolitos and luminarias are the small bonfires; in Albuquerque these are called luminarias (and the candles for them are so labeled in the store). I report and natives debate.

Men in and around the kitchen just before Christmas dinner
(the slender young ones are our nephews and godsons)

I have not posted much for numerous unrelated reasons. I cannot blame the business of the holidays. While I get fired up over politics I have not had the emotional energy to compose my usual rants. I have alternately been battling tooth problems and a persistent sinus infection for three months now. I have thus often been in pain or drugged or anxious. It is to be hoped this will soon be resolved. I have also been pursuing a private life for a change.

I have had three root canals in as many months. This Tuesday I will have sinus surgery to drain all the infection and repair a deviated septum at the same time. They will be working in three sinuses on my right side. It is day surgery and Bill will be with me that day and night. The doctor will remove plastic stents when I see him ten days later. So I will be out of commission for the next two weeks. Your prayers are requested and appreciated.

Between this and holidays and too many doctor appointments paychecks have been slim and medical expenses high. I give thanks that I am insured and still employed and think of those who lack work and seek it, those without insurance, those who are homeless. Let us hold them in our hearts also and seek to make our social systems better.

David@Montreal has called for our prayers once again:

I've just had a call from Carol, the heroic wife of my very dear cousin Frank who, as you'll remember has been putting up a heroic fight against lukemia and the compications it brings.
unfortunately Frank and Carol have had a pretty horrendous holiday season. the original plan to admit him before Christmas was abandoned when the hospital found themselves with some pretty serious viral outbreaks and Frank was sent home for his own protection. since then, they've been treating him daily as an outpatient with Carol having to drive to and from Whitrock BC to Vancouver each day and eight hours in the hospital, seven on seven.
in addition to the rapidly depleting white blood cell/platlets, the primary foe of the moment is an aspergillis fungal infection in his lungs.
with no spleen and a non-existent immuse system as his body still recovers from his second genetic transplant on Sept 22, the hospital is throwing everything they have at the fungus without success so far.

David follows that with a second request for some others very dear to him:

I've just had news that the situation with the poet Mark Doty's eye has deteriorated. on Christmas night, the torn retina detached for a second time within a number of weeks, and he and Paul are going to have to wait at least a week or more before the NYC medical system can accomidate the rather long operation.
i don't know if you know Mark's poetry, but he is one of the most light-filled poets alive today in your country, and his memoir 'Heaven's Coast' was one of the most powerful books to come out of the first decade of AIDS. I cherish both Mark and Paul and would ask your prayers for them, they're a wonderful couple, both of them generous teachers and wonderful writers.

There are prayer requests at OCICBW: here and here (poor Mrs. Mad Priest, putting up with Mad Priest and us lot plus having migraines).

We ate well, drank plenty, and made noise last night (not on the Eve) but you are spared photos; I took none.

A blessed 2011 to you all. May it, and perhaps we, be kinder than 2010.

--the BB

Heart thread - 12/21/2010

A request from David:

Beloved Giants of prayer & practice
It turns out my cherished cousin Frank is not to see Christmas at home.
They discovered a serious growth on one of his lungs, and he's been hospitalized, with the doctors unable to give any idea [how] long the treatments will take- especially with holiday scheduling.
They're going to be removing the mass and giving him treatment. The news comes via my Mam who received the call who was quite shaked by this news of her Godson, so she doesn't remember all that Frank shared with her, but she reports that his morale was good- as always- but he specificially asked that I share this news with you, the Giants and ask for your prayers for himself and for Carol.

thank-you

love-always-always Love

David.

Heart thread - 12/16/2010

David offers many for us to remember in prayer.

Just a quick note to let you know that dear Rosemary entered eternal life last evening.
As tiny as she was physically, dear Rosemary was a giant in her passionate determination to beat her cancer so as to see her two sons make it to adulthood.
I ask your prayers for Rosemary's husband David, their two sons, Rosemary's mother, two brothers and her sister.
I would also ask your prayers for my baby sister Jenny, who for close to two years was Rosemary's chief ally in keeping things as normal as possible and getting her to treatments and appointments.
The last time I saw Rosemary we spoke of the prayers which were accompanying her, and she asked about each of you- it was important to know each of you by name,

Jacques continues to be palliative, though there has been some slight rallying, just in time for my neice Marion and her daughter to make it back from the Gaspe

the latest from our Margaret is that Joel has been allowed home from hospital, though he is having real issues breathing

dear, dear Paul needs prayers for operable health challenges on two fronts please

and I'd ask your prayers this evening for a young girl of only six years old, flown down south after being gravely attacked by four sled dog in her settlement- the dear child is litterally fighting for her life

Frank & Carol send their thanks and love- and he wants you all to know he is very much aware of the role you all played with your love and the support of your prayers in the fact that he will be here again this Chirstmas

Thank-you my cherished giants

love always-always Love

David

I ask your prayers for David who holds so many in his heart before God.


I also ask your prayers for my sister Shirley, pictured above in an earlier era, who battles infections and celebrates her 79th birthday tomorrow. Also for her husband Jack.

I give thanks that my nephew Jay has managed to get off diabetes meds.

O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve thy children: Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servants for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their soul with patience, comfort them with a sense of thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--the BB