Preacher-man comes a callin'

Spring in the air and hope.
I see newness all around me. People feel good when the flowers start to bloom.
People at the end of their lives perk up considerably.

One of the primary complaints I hear in my clients is loneliness. Coping with the ravages of disease or just plain old age is a lonely business. Even lonelier when you are on your own anyway. One of the nicest things a person can do is visit. Just show up.
One of the people in the community who routinely shows up is the Pastor, or Rabbi or Priest.

Today I was with my client who battles multiple myloma. She is holding her own against all odds. Her doctor told her 2 weeks ago he wished he could take her around to all the Palliative Units and show her off to the Doctors so they could see HOW well she is doing.
Her Pastor came a-callin' yesterday.

This is a man who serves God in a community with a disproportionate number of seniors.
He has clearly lost more than a few sheep from his flock.

He comes to visit and sits himself down. He coordinated his visit to coincide with a visit from my clients daughter. He looks at the daughter, looks to the client and says:
"So, have they told you how long you have?"

I kid you not.
I asked my client what sort of thing was said in return.

"I didn't say anything at all. And from now on I am not home to Pastors. He is too busy planning my memorial to hear or see me."

I think so too.
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"Remember, when you're driving through Amish country and you see a man with his arm up a horses ass... he's a mechanic."- Robin Williams