Over dinner not so long ago, Mr WI64 and I were discussing a speech we’d heard – I recall neither the topic nor the speaker – but a phrase spoken across the table resonated.
“If I was him,” said Mr WI64 who knows a thing or two about oratory, “I’d’ve invoked the community of angels.”
I didn’t know what he meant at the time. Mr WI64 is deeper than me – a thoughtful lake to my hasty creek – so I just nodded and looked past his ears. As I do in those moments.
But then this happened.
Four weeks and a blog post ago, my mister underwent tricky – and successful – surgery that should’ve had him home within days. But things went a bit whacky; whacky in a way that had me wide eyed at 2 a.m. wondering, what now? And it was in those days, without invocation, our angels showed up.
This is what friendship and love looks like:
Lynelle knocked on my door bearing a casserole. A beautiful old timey and tender gesture that spoke of care for body and soul.
Then she arrived with an Ipad loaded with movies for those long hospital nights in the company of snoring roomates.
Maureen checked in daily. How is he? How are you?How about a walk?Doesn’t matter the time. She’d get me out of the house to walk and talk off the stress.
Linda met me by the water after hospital visiting hours for silent, late evening, stress relieving rows.
Isolde, a veteran at hospital stuff, messaged or called most days to hold my hand through the bumps.
My sister called every night. How are things today? Is he doing better? How are you?
My daughters checked in regularly. #1 booked a flight from Australia; #2 to follow.
Colin spent three mornings in our back garden, taming a jungle with a hoe and fork. Our neighbor Aaron took care of the lawn.
We’d been told Mr. WI64 would need to wear a neck brace for the next three months and pictured something along the lines of that worn by Mrs. Tishell on Doc Martin.

Instead he awoke from surgery wearing a mobility-inhibiting contraption that means he won’t see his feet until August.

With that in mind our friends John and David arrived to move furniture and install equipment to ease things on his arrival home.
On the day – last Thursday – three strapping firefighter friends ensured his safe delivery up the stairs into our house.
That angels have just shown up, in all the right ways, has left me quite breathless.
And feeling blessedly supported.
Never think of you as a “hasty creek”. Please give âGraham a gentle hug – talk to you when i’m back from Croatia. Jane Burnes MacKeen250-889-1054 From: When I’m 64Sent: Monday, May 28, 2018 6:10 PMTo: jane.burnes@telus.netReply To: When I’m 64Subject: [New post] Response of the angel community
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Gery Lemon posted: “Over dinner not so long ago, Mr WI64 and I were discussing a speech weâd heard â I recall neither the topic nor the speaker â but a phrase spoken across the table resonated.
âIf I was him,â said Mr WI64 who knows a thing or two about oratory, âIâdâve inv”
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Croatia?!! Message me when you get back. Safe travels.
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I have goosies. Lovely story and a wonderful reminder that, should you be open to them, your angels are just waiting to give you a hand❤️
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It’s all been goose making, Nic.
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You found a way to post your very personal difficult trial I such a generous way. Beautiful!
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
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Thank you, my friend.
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Hi Gery- I’m so sorry to hear Graham and you had to go through this, and sorrier to have not been one of your faithful friends helping out. Its wonderful to know you’ve been so well supported and blessed through this. And thanks for a good read.
PJ
Pauline James Curtis
Sent from my iPhone
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Lucky me . . . I have a great nurse among my friends.
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Lovely, dear sister. Hadn’t heard the term “community of angels” but is perfect for your ordeal. And so fortunate one is to have such a community on hand.
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Thanks, Mim. True, huh.
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