Some time away

As Jan and I anticipate flying to Barcelona the Saturday after Thanksgiving - here is our cruise itinerary: My plan at this point is to blog each day and post at least one picture from our day.

Date           Port                        Arrive        Depart


30-Nov      Barcelona, Spain                          6pm
01- Dec     Cruising
02- Dec     Valetta, Malta          7am              2pm
03- Dec     Cruising
04- Dec     Alexandria, Egypt     7am
05- Dec     Alexandria, Egypt                        7pm
06- Dec     Limassol, Cyprus    10:30am      4pm
07- Dec     Rhodes, Greece        9am             5:30pm
08- Dec     Athens, Greece         9am            6pm
09- Dec     Cruising
10- Dec     Palermo, Italy            9am            6pm
11- Dec     Cruising
12- Dec     Barcelona, Spain        6am

One recent morning

The day started like any other as I walked into my office and dropped my stuff. Deciding that I needed a bit of breakfast, I headed for the cafeteria. On the way there, my pager went off – call surgery. The mother of a brain dead young man wanted a chaplain to be present in the operating room as the organs were retrieved. Gowning up I entered the room where the surgeons and nursing staff worked. Within a sea of blue sterile drapes, the only part of the patient that was visible was the large, open incision. I could see the heart beating and the liver within the hands of the surgeon as it was near ready to be removed. During the next hour I watched, aware that death had already occurred for this young person, but also very aware that what was also present was hope and life. As the heart was stopped and life-giving organs were removed and sent on their way, I knew that at this moment there were recipients who were anticipating a new hope and a new life. And for this grieving family, I also had hope that their decision would in time, lessen their grief. And it was a gift to me to be asked to be present.