***IMPORTANT NOTE UPFRONT: You can donate to relief efforts coordinated by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis online or through upcoming collections at your local Catholic parish.***
This is not much of a health update, but more a reflection based on things I’ve learned through my health journey. On a positive note, I have returned to work part-time, but that update can wait.
“I can’t help but look…”
There are a lot of oddities that I noticed during each of my hospitalizations over the past year. One of these was that every member of the care team either instinctively closed my door or asked if I wanted my door closed when exiting the room. They would do this even if I had it open when they came into the room. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was bothering them or if they thought they were bothering me. I soon realized that it was an intentional effort to protect my privacy.
I have vivid memories of my many walks around the unit when I was healing from my hemicolectomy. The walks were a key part of my healing, but were also incredibly unpleasant at first. I wanted to focus on anything but the pain and discomfort. I would look out the window or at the beautiful artwork displayed on the walls. I sometimes focused on the distance markers physical therapy had placed at various points on my route. I also caught myself looking into rooms with open doors as I walked past. They were usually empty, but every so often I would see a patient or their family in the room. Awkward glances would meet, and there was a clear message communicated through body language: “why are you looking at me?” Beth would remind me to respect others privacy and I would quickly turn my gaze elsewhere.
Was it only natural to be curious? Maybe. I distinctly remember thinking “I wonder why that person was admitted” as I walked past some of the open doors. I also remember being on the receiving end of some of those inquisitive looks while I was in my hospital bed, not wanting to bother the nurse, but also not able to get up and close the door. It was unpleasant. I began to develop a fuller understanding of why the care team was so disciplined about closing the door.
A Tornado and the Aftermath
Last week, an EF-3 tornado directly hit the City of Saint Louis during it’s 22+ mile track from St. Louis County to the metro east. I have friends that have been “boots on the ground” in the search & rescue and cleanup efforts. They’ve described the scene as complete and utter devastation. They have said it resembles a war zone. Multiple news reports are saying it is the worst destruction we have seen in our city in my lifetime, likely eclipsing the Great Flood of 1993. Sadly, it’s not the first severe weather event to wreak havoc on our local community this spring.
I recently had a conversation with the president of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. It would be an understatement to say that his description of the situation was “sobering.” Countless people lost everything in the course of minutes. Houses have collapsed. Clothing and essential daily items have been destroyed. Prescription medications were lost amidst the rubble. The devastation is beyond comparison.
What Is the Perspective?
Natural disasters on this scale are incredible. I know I am not alone in wondering what exactly the scene looked like in the immediate aftermath and even now amidst the cleanup. Writing this brings back memories of standing at the Chubb Overlook in Bee Tree Park watching the Mississippi River break through the levee and flood Illinois farm land early one morning in the summer of 1993.
I’ve seen social media posts of people driving through the areas affected by the tornado. I’ve heard more than a few conversations where the phrase “you should see how bad it is” has been uttered. I am not questioning the innocence of those involved or the curiosity that has led to them. Afterall, one of the definitions of the word awesome is “extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring great admiration, apprehension, or fear.” The damage is truly awesome.
I go back to my walks in the hospital where I was gawking at others. I recall the times I was in bed wishing I had asked to have the door closed lest I be the recipient of the stares. Let’s not lose sight of the human element on the other side of this equation. There are real people who are experiencing loss on a tremendous scale. There are many trying to scavenge through the rubble to secure their remaining possessions while they are able. I pray we resist the voyeuristic temptation to see the destruction without seeing the need it has caused. Would we want passers by to stare at us if we were the ones affected?
Where is Jesus?
Two things are certain. First, we know that we are seeing Jesus in need right now. This is a Matthew 25 moment. Second, He continues to call us to be His hands and feet as we practice works of mercy.
I’ve been stuck on a piece of sacred music since the tornado came through last week. There are many settings of a Latin text “O Vos Omnes.” An English translation reads: “O all ye that pass by the way, attend and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow.”
There is a great beauty the fact that our Lord allowed Himself to suffer so visibly His passion and death. Why? Because He wants us to be moved by His suffering. He wants it to transform our lives so that we better love Him. He wants us to be moved to conversion and that requires action on our part. Right now He allows us to see Him suffering in those who were in the path of the storm.
What Can We Do?
There is much that we can do. We are the Body of Christ and because one part is suffering, we all are suffering (1 Cor 12:26).
- We can and should pray for all those whose lives have been lost or affected by the storms. Let us pray for our civic leaders coordinating the rescue and relief efforts. Let us pray for ourselves that we respond generously to our Lord’s invitation to encounter Him in this moment of time.
- We can provide direct assistance by volunteering with the cleanup efforts through the many civic organizations coordinating this effort.
- We can provide financial assistance through Catholic Charities. Jared shared with me why they are prioritizing financial assistance. Please trust me when I say it is the best way to make an immediate difference as each case they serve is different and financial donations allow them to best serve particular needs.
- A time will come when there will be requests for clothing, personal items, shoes, etc. Why not start preparing for that time now by doing some spring cleaning? I’d love to tell you a story about a BIG impact (pun intended) a friend was able to make by donating something as simple as his size 18 shoes.
Conclusion
I hope you have not read this as Adam saying nothing more than “DO NOT STARE.” As we pass by the way in person or through various forms of media, let us be attentive and see His sorrow in the sorrow of our brothers and sisters. Let us be moved to serve Jesus by serving Him in our brothers and sisters. The need is urgent. As someone who has been on the receiving end more than I would have liked over the past year, I can wholeheartedly say that even the simplest of gestures in time of suffering can have a tremendous impact on those who suffer.
Again, you can donate to relief efforts coordinated by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louisonline or through upcoming collections at your local Catholic parish.