Generally speaking, I am in good health. Once I became “over 60” the doctors I see became much more interested in running tests to see if, in fact, I am in generally good health. On this particular morning, I was standing in line at 7:00 AM for a heart CT scan “because I am over 60” and well, heart and arteries and all of that need to be checked out.
The first man was standing in front of me. I could see the scar on his cervical spine just above the top of his t-shirt. There were bandages poking out, too. He sounded unhappy as he grunted answers to the person at the intake desk. He was there for an x-ray. When I saw his face sitting in the waiting area, he did not look happy, either. I surmised this was a man in a lot of pain. I have been in a lot of pain before. Something in me recognized something in this man.
The second man was walking down the side of the five lane highway as I drove home that morning, not quite 8:00 AM. He was wearing a t-shirt and what appeared to be swimming trunks. He was walking in knee high weeds as there was no sidewalk. I surmised that this was a man willing to do hard things for what his life demanded that day. I have had to do hard things before. Something in me recognized something in this man.
The third man was on the side of that same busy five lane highway a few miles later at the entrance to a business parking lot not yet open for the day. He had what appeared to be two shopping carts all loaded down with his things. I knew in a glance that this was his whole life piled in those carts, and he was kneeling around their edges making sure that everything was tucked in and safe to travel to wherever his life unfolded that day. I surmised that this man was facing a day full of unknown risks and challenges, some of which could be dangerous. During my 65 years, I have known some challenges that felt bigger than I thought I could manage. Something in me recognized something in this man.
Soon, I was caught at a red light, and in that space of waiting, these three men joined me in my heart space. I took a deep breath, and I asked for relief of pain, for strength to persevere, for safety and protection: for each of us. I hope my prayer has some good effect. They helped me build belonging that day with three unknown brothers along the way.
~Bob Patrick
