Tuesday, 31 August 2004 07:56 pm
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deckardcanineI believe this is a first, and surprising in part for being a first at this point.
My grandfather is 88 -- or close to it; we don't know his actual birthday, so we observe it on New Year's. He has been remarkably spry all the years that I've known him. I tend to assume on some level that he's going to live forever. But at his age, "spry" almost invariably means "still unhealthy enough to die soon."
Today he had what must be his most serious heart problem yet, requiring immediate hospitalization. My dad took off from work to visit him in Baltimore. I didn't get a message about it at my workplace; this only increases my perception of an emergency. In all likelihood, my grandfather will not go home tonight. Not his earthly home, anyway.
This event is not entirely a surprise. Loss of hearing and appetite have hardly been his only signs of degeneration: he's needed a defibrillator for years. I just don't remember him having any problem that merited his son's sudden departure from the office. This is the same grandfather who went to Italy for a cruise earlier this summer, and he had no reported problems then.
Until I sat down to write this, I didn't feel much of anything. Perhaps the fact that he's lived so much longer and healthier than most people has reduced the tragic aspect in my mind. Now I feel obliged to make up for a hardened heart. I will pray, and any LJ friends who do the same in seriousness (not many, I imagine) are welcome to join. Seeing as my grandfather is Jewish, he might especially welcome Jewish prayer.
My grandfather is 88 -- or close to it; we don't know his actual birthday, so we observe it on New Year's. He has been remarkably spry all the years that I've known him. I tend to assume on some level that he's going to live forever. But at his age, "spry" almost invariably means "still unhealthy enough to die soon."
Today he had what must be his most serious heart problem yet, requiring immediate hospitalization. My dad took off from work to visit him in Baltimore. I didn't get a message about it at my workplace; this only increases my perception of an emergency. In all likelihood, my grandfather will not go home tonight. Not his earthly home, anyway.
This event is not entirely a surprise. Loss of hearing and appetite have hardly been his only signs of degeneration: he's needed a defibrillator for years. I just don't remember him having any problem that merited his son's sudden departure from the office. This is the same grandfather who went to Italy for a cruise earlier this summer, and he had no reported problems then.
Until I sat down to write this, I didn't feel much of anything. Perhaps the fact that he's lived so much longer and healthier than most people has reduced the tragic aspect in my mind. Now I feel obliged to make up for a hardened heart. I will pray, and any LJ friends who do the same in seriousness (not many, I imagine) are welcome to join. Seeing as my grandfather is Jewish, he might especially welcome Jewish prayer.
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Mi Sheberach avoteinu Avraham, Yitzchak, ViYakov, viEmotenu Sarah, Rivkah, Leah, viRachel, hu yivarech otanu hakdosh baruch hu yimlei rachamim al-[insert name here] vial kol hacholim, viyishlach lanu bimherah rifu'at hanfesh urifu'at haguf. Vinomar: Amen.
Vowels are to be pronounced as in latin. "ch" is, in all cases a vellar fricative, as in German.
and since a prayer is only valid if you know what it means, hear is the translation:
May the one who blessed our fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and mothers, Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, and Rachel bless [insert name here] and all who are in need of healing. Holy one, in the fullness of your compassion bestow upon them renewed health and strength. Guide their healers, O God; give them skill and compassion, and the joy that comes from selfless service and let us say amen.
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