Looking at him, I could see the wishful thinking. It was a look that penetrated deep within my being. I, too, knew that longing. For him, it was grief over no longer being able to participate as a member of the worship team. For me, it was grief over no longer being able to hike in the woods.
My friend is facing life-changing, vexing physical deterioration. His heart is no longer his friend. Now it performs at 10% efficiency and he struggles for strength and breath and life. I, too, face a life-changing physical deterioration. My muscles are no longer my friends. They continue to weaken and I struggle for strength and breath. My situation is not as severe, I do not struggle to live. Yet, we are kindred spirits. We live with loss.
There was a time when walking in the woods was easy. It was just a matter of making the decision to spend my time among the majestic trees. Now, I need to trudge along a new trail - finding away to transcend my personal vexing physical tribulation.
How? How can I? How can I spend time with those wonderful, majestic trees? The answer came to me. It was such an easy solution. Pick up your paintbrush.
For him, for my friend, the solution is not so easy.
