Two of my sisters drove in to see me on Friday.  The one came to view my body for any signs of early ravage from the cancer, the other to poke at my spirit and confirm that my sense of self is intact.  Not long before they alit, I lay in bed beyond my usual time reflecting on the meaning of illness and the mysteries of suffering.  To my delight, there came in response a touch of grace, reminding me that my created self — body, mind and spirit – is wonderfully made, pleasing unto God, and of high importance to at least a few humans.  When the girls arrived they found me in fine mettle, and we proceeded to have a more-than-good-enough Good Friday together.

(For the record, my doctors implanted markers to my diseased prostate a few days ago, and will likely begin bombarding the cancer with radiation before the time I write next.  All goes as well as we could wish or hope, so keep the healthful thoughts coming…)

Then too, the orchid in my living room, the bird of paradise in my back yard, and the red-leaf  succulent spilling out from a wheelbarrow beneath the great oak have all burst into bloom at once!  The world is being renewed.  I hope that any of you  passing through a period of trial or doubt will likewise know grace, experience renewal, and take delight in the sureness of new life and of better times bursting into bloom. 

A happy and blessed Eastertide to everyone!

In earnest,

Rudi Cleare