IN MOMENTS OF ADVERSITY, ILLNESS OR DESPAIR...

In moments of adversity, illness or despair, often are there HEALING HANDS reaching out to us in one way or another to help us, to strengthen us, to catch us as we fall and place us upon solid footing once more, affording us the opportunity to strengthen our resolve to again stand our ground, face that which smacks us in the face of reality, and address that which MUST be dealt with!

So many HEALING HANDS, be they; Family, Friend, Professional, experienced or reaching out for the first time, the intent of one and all is but crystal clear, to be of assistance as best they can with the WILL OF GOD as their guide!

It is absolutely, positively amazing how vastly enriched and empowered one feels within mind, heart, and Soul with the realization that WE are NOT alone nor will WE ever be; Even when WE don't ask for help, I have come to witness and realize that GOD sends to US "HEALING HANDS" in many a form, and many of US just fail to realize that HE is already at work on OUR behalf!

When so realized, accepted, and embraced by any, LIFE (be it short or long, remaining), is remarkable!! One could almost see "the golden glow" radiating from within their very SOUL, even that previously thought to be no longer tolerable, is bearable because HOPE, FAITH, and BELIEF fills US, and even though not a word may have been spoken, it is just understood as fact that "this too shall pass", one way or another!

While in the hospital for surgery (South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside), and recovering / regaining the strength to be moved to a Rehab facility, I experienced and witnessed many a stranger's HEALING HANDS, be they; Surgeon, Nurse, Aide, Lab Tech, Physical Therapist, Social Worker, Housekeeping, Security, Food Services, Volunteer, FAMILY or Friend, Flower delivery person, reach out as best they could, in the manner they could, to do that which they could do (often well above and beyond any job description or mere necessity).

The results, staggering; I saw the bent and the broken in body, mind, and spirit AWAKEN, and filled with HOPE! Was not HIS HAND at work as well?

Upon transfer to a Rehab Facility (Island Nursing and Rehab Center in Holtsville), again did I experience and witness many a stranger's HEALING HANDS, be they; Nurse, Doctor, Aide, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Administrator, Social Worker, Housekeeping, Food Services, Volunteers, FAMILY and Friend, Security, Maintenance, and a variety of delivery people, reach out as BEST they could, in a MANNER they could, to do that which they could do (again, often well above and beyond any job description or mere necessity).

The results, again staggering, although there was added difference here as well, for many were here to stay for longer. Again, I saw the bent and the broken in body, mind, and the spirit AWAKEN in one form or another, and again did I see HOPE reflected within their eyes, manner or movement. That HOPE in whatever the form, filled the air with a sense of Community and that which would come, LIFE, be it home after sufficient progress, here, or eternal! Regardless, there too was HOPE! Was not HIS HAND at work as well?

And undeniably, I witnessed and experienced the HEALING HANDS of FAMILY and FRIEND, reaching out in ways never even before imagined, and their results; JOY, WARMTH, LOVE within mind, body, and SOUL so wonderful, and so complete, that how could not HOPE for a better tomorrow overwhelm one in a POSITIVE LIGHT, a "golden glow" radiating for all the world to see! Was not HIS HAND at work?

So blessed are WE all, for that which WE are capable of, is incredible! Will not YOU, let YOUR HEALING HANDS reach out to those around YOU?

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT, DARE TO BE TRUE, DARE TO BE BOLD, DARE TO BE YOU! Your significance is unbelievable, and OUR WORLD is so much the better off for YOUR being active in it!!

Shall WE begin?