Gerri read her blog and liked it

I saw Gerri yesterday. She was home from the hospital, I hadn't seen her for a week. What a difference a week can make. The terrible pain spikes Gerri is going through takes away a bit of her strength every time. As a consequence Gerri was a bit dopey, but her pain was controlled. The transfer from the hospital to the apartment went well and she could navigate the few steps to her floor. So, I expected her to lay down for a nap in the hospital bed in the living room, but she rallied and we sat down and opened her computer. We went through the email messages and then she read all of the posts on the blog, including your comments.

It's Gerri's blog and she insisted that I add my picture to it, so that people could see who is writing the posts. I objected, but, if you know Gerri, that doesn't get you very far. You can't argue with the woman. So, I added my picture, but I have my sun glasses on!

Gerri's focus now is on her son's visit, her beloved Bartholomew Mokuh (with the unpronounceable last name). I think I'll start calling him Mokuh now, or Barthi, as he is also known... Bartholomew is a mouth full. He'll see her next Friday, arriving on the Island from Baltimore on Thursday night in Comox. He'll spend the night at my place, and is picked up to be driven to Campbell River next day. In one of his emails he hinted at his eventful relationship with Gerri, I think there might be a book in that story.

Then I remembered that I had this on my desktop from April last year. Didn't want to loose it. It's an interview with Gerri, giving a tiny glimpse into the life of the woman we all love. 'My Hand on the Bush".

Home Tomorrow?

That's the plan. Gina is traveling this evening back to Campbell River to prepare to receive Gerri home from the hospital. Yesterday Gerri had a good day. Arrangements have now been made for Gerri's beloved son, Bartholomew, to visit her next week. He is traveling from Baltimore to see her. So let's all think good thoughts that the weather furies take a break from January 20 to 24.

It's too long to tell here, but if you know Gerri's story and its twists and turns that started to unfold last summer, you'd also know that Bahá'u'lláh had orchestrated every moment of it perfectly. So, I am sure that He'll continue to supervise the next few weeks, weather, visits, and all. Actually, if any of us were in charge of getting that many 'ducks in a row'--and the waters were thick with ducks--we wouldn't have been able to do it.

Think good thoughts anyway!

Prayers and Good Wishes for Gerri

Today I called Gina in Powell River. I need to know how to handle a couple of organizational matters. While I was on the phone with Gina, not more than 5-7 minutes, she received 3 (three) more calls on call waiting. She told me that the phone has not stopped ringing and she is not able to do anything else! It is shocking to me to realize how frantic things can get when you are close to someone who is preparing to leave this world. There are some things Gina needs to do in Powell River before she gets back to Campbell River, and with the phone ringing off the hook she may now have to delay her return. Gerri cannot go back home from the hospital without having Gina there and her place organized for the care she needs.

Please, friends, unless you have some urgent matter to discuss with Gina, don't call her for updates on, or good wishes for Gerri. We are trying to keep you updated here.

Gerri has had another pain crisis, but as she was in the hospital it could be treated and she has pulled through.

A couple of months ago Gerri asked that no healing prayers be said for her. The following was sent to me by a Bahá'í friend and may be of interest to the Bahá'ís amongst Gerri's friends:

"... a bit of information received by me and a few others at a meeting,  many years ago from Hand of The Cause Mr. Khadem. Someone in the group I was in asked  Mr. Khadem about the wisdom of saying "healing" prayers for someone that is very ill and it is well known that the person is not going to recover from the illness (or near death) condition.

He said: "When this is a condition determined by the professionals that the patient may be  approaching the next world, even though they have not passed yet, say the prayer for the departed for them as it assists them in the transition from this world to the next".

... I'm not suggesting you do that in this case. I am simply passing along helpful information from a certainly knowledgeable person, (in case you had not heard it previously), as a note of comfort for all of us."

I, for one will take it to heart.

Feeling better

Gina, Gerri's sister went home for a few days to Powell River. She is preparing for a longer stay when she gets back. Meantime Gerri is safely in the hospital, soaking up their care and the peace and quiet she needs so badly.

When I was visiting on Friday--Gerri went to the hospital that night--I couldn't believe the constant activity that was going on in her place. She is too weak to take these disruptions. It's all to do with organizing support systems, which need people to come and install things, etc. So, at the end of this week, when Gina gets back to Campbell River, Gerri will be back home and, hopefully, all the organizing is done and over with.

I just came across a note Gerri sent to Vena, that explains why she is not afraid at all. Perhaps it helps you to understand better. (I hope you don't mind, Vena.)
Gerri wrote: "No need to worry. I'm not the least bit worried myself. Broken is what the dying process is all about, and there is no recovery. My spirit is too strong for this broken body and wishes only for release from it." then she quoted Baha'u'llah: "O Son of Spirit!  Burst thy cage asunder, and even as the Phoenix of Love, soar into the firmament of holiness.  Renounce thyself, and filled with the spirit of mercy, abide in the realms of celestial sanctity."