I usually greet him with a "Good Morning Mr. Powers."
He smiles.
I make my way over to his bed.
He raises his head, his arms, and meets me half way with a kiss on my cheek.
I find a new treasure in chatting with Mr. powers, everyday.
But this day...he had not much to say. He was nestled in a bed on the intensive care unit, 12D, seemingly more concerned about my feelings than his own. I made it one of the things on my priority list, to stop by and check in with Mr. Powers, as he surfaces in my mind.
Last week, after his heart transplant, I visited him on the 8th floor and he was talking, looked well and seemed to be recuperating. A few days passed. He entered my mind again, this is when I went on an attempt to find him.
Unknowing, I stopped by 12D and noticed Mr. Powers name posted on the board. It made wonder if that was Mr. Phillip Powers, so I asked. And I was told that it was.
Without any thought, I purelled my hands, gowned up, glanced around for a nurse, to assure I had permission to enter his room, then went in.
He laid flat on his back. Not as bright-faced as usual. "This has never happened to me before," were the last words he uttered before they incubated him. I held his hand for a few seconds...as he gripped my palm, until I felt it was time for me to walk away, with a saddened heart, nervous and border-line discouraged, I began pacing, asking God to hear my prayer in spite of what I heard: the likelihood of him having an infection around his heart or...pneumonia?
I tried to remain calm but my inner screamed:
"Lord, I know that faith is the substance of things unheard of and not seen, (something of that sort) but...I feel torn, help me to believe, help me to grab hold of the faith that I know I have," I said.
Shortly after, I activated my faith teary eyed and all. I left the Brigham, with a heavy heart, puffy eyes and red pupils, yet, somehow I managed keep myself together on the ride home. But, when we I reached the destination of my bedroom, I weeped asked God to please work what I felt like at the time would be a miracle. God however, already had angels assigned, without my knowing.
Fred Hammond's, soulful, sophisticated, intensely spiritual music has healed my soul on many occasions, so at this time I turned to this anointed singer/songwriter for musical encouragement and comfort. And the words of number 7 on his, Pages of Life CD, rocked my pain away, along with the gracious, hug that my special friend Neil sent via telephone air wave--which comforted me and before I knew it I was fast asleep, in a peaceful trance.
Saturday I took the time to think positive, stay cool and not attempt to do anything in my own spirit. Like, call Brigham seeking updates on Mr. Powers. I just relaxed, keeping him in my highest thoughts. With those actions, I got a sense of peace and I went with it.
Sunday my mother, father and I went to church. Pastor Clark delivered a simple sermon assuring the congregation of the powerful force angels embody--and how most importantly they are assigned to each of our lives. I immediately thought about my mother. "She's standing beside me with no broken bones," I thought. a smile of appreciation on her almost fully-healed face. Just one week ago she was After a terrible accident, where a woman drove out of an intersection without stopping at, forcing my mother to run into her and totaling our vehicle. She 's standing beside me after experiencing tremendous airbag abrasion, swollen lips, major pain...but she's breathing. The angels were certainly watching over her.
Secondly, I thought of my father, and my knees instantaneously got weak. If it were up to the enemies he would of been dead a long time ago, I remember thinking. But he is living even after years of abuse to his body, mind and spirit; after undergoing a heart attack and having on more than one occasion, suicidal thoughts--the angels have been beside him as well...keeping him alive, protected.
What a relevant word for a very relevant time. Even whle watching both my parents in the presence of God at service, at the same time, one with the spirit, one with me--thread that connects both their souls.
My mind was geared toward Mr. Powers. A man who has given me so much encouragment, shown me love, shared awesome insight, stories and much insiration. I thought about the relevancy of the angels that Pastor Clark spoke about, knowing they were with him as well.
I now know why some say, hold your peace and let the Lord fight your battles, because on Monday, as I walked into the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, 12D, Mr. Powers was no longer intubated...in fact, the same man, who was slightly discolored, searching for words, was sitting up in a chair speaking freely to a team of 7 doctors, who were engrossed--taking notes.
I tip-toed back to my pod to sign his card--a card that I purchased on Saturday, apparently by faith, because here he was, doing exactly how the card captured. The card read:
"For He himself said he will never leave us nor forsake us..." Hebrews (not sure the exact verse). "Though sickness may get you down..." and continued describing how the view of each circumstance abroad is usually smaller than the outcome.
I've learned so much about Mr. Powers and it only seems like each day unfolds news discoveries. One important discovery is that he has special angels surrounding him at all times. Today 2-14-07, I learned that he is a father of three girls; that he enjoys reading more, "since" meeting me; that Disney stories like Beauty and The Beast, The Little Mermaid (which he has watched over 17 times) Lady and The Tramp are amongst his favorite movies--captivating to say the least. And even at the age of 67, soon to be 68 in exactly 7 days, he mentioned, he still gets teary eyed each time he watches these kind of movies--moved by each story.
Our inspirational talks remind me of the long talks I often have with my uncle, that i enjoy. I see Mr. P's eyes glisten, that makes me smile and my eyes tear up when he highlights the "special" aspects of my being. I can't take it all in. I love this man like a father, with the love we discussed today. The love that makes the world rotate in a positive direction.
For some reason I feel as if he is a part of me, like we're connected from some thread. Ancestral? I doubt it, but we certainly have something in common, for sure. And it moves me to be gentle.....to myself and embrace the warmth i often feel the need to radiate.
It is true that when we ask, we shall receive. For this I am grateful :)
Sasha
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