After some great ringing at Stepney and Southwark this morning, I spent a quiet afternoon with Mary Elizabeth.
I remember months ago the apprehension I would feel approaching the hospital, wondering in what state I would find Mary Elizabeth – whether she would be conscious or unaware, wracked by fever or resting comfortably. I wouldn’t know until I spied her through the little window in the door to the Neuro Support Unit where she spent 8 weeks in December and January.
These days, my stride quickens as I near the hospital because I have the confidence that when I get there she will be alert and aware, ready to talk and spend time together. It is a profound difference. This afternoon when I arrived, she was sitting up in bed, wearing her glasses and alertly looking around her. When she saw me come into view, she lit up and smiled as I approached her bed. I said to her that she looked great – and she said, “You look great too!” We “chatted” for a while (well, I chatted and she mouthed words and made signs, still frustrated at her inability to speak) but we were able to communicate well. Since not too much is happening in my life here that isn’t centered around her, I got through my recent activities – dinner with Malcolm and Rosie and this morning’s ringing – pretty quickly, and then I drew on our store of memories and began to reminisce. This is enjoyable for her as well since it hearkens back to a time before this illness and benefits a little from the rosy prism of nostalgia. I recounted a few shared experiences that were very funny (to us at least) and elicited a robust laugh from her.
I had downloaded a favorite episode of the Mary Tyler Moore show – Chuckles the Clown Bites the Dust – onto my iPhone and she watched it while I held it up in her line of sight. Her smiles and chuckles told me that she enjoyed it. I of course also read her the blog and recent posts which she really, really enjoys. We chatted for a while more, and then amid the hurly burly of the ward, we both became drowsy and nodded off, holding hands while the busy activities of the ward swirled around us.
We have a long road ahead of us, but in the last few weeks, I have felt the slowly spreading warmth of peace infusing my heart and mind.
Since the early days of Mary Elizabeth’s illness, I’ve maintained that patience is built on hope and faith, and if we can keep that in mind, we can get through any situation. I’m realizing now that this patience is ultimately rewarded with Peace – the knowledge that if we accept what is happening, and try to find some grace along the way that we will find contentment and comfort in the result.
This certainly isn’t a revolutionary thought – the passing of the peace is one of the key elements of most Christian liturgies – and in fact I think that the first words of the liturgy that we used at our wedding were “A peace upon this house, and all who enter herein.” And from a secular perspective, Mary Elizabeth and I are both of the generation that remembers that two fingers held up means peace. I know I’m rambling a little bit, but I think that Mary Elizabeth and I have found a new experience of the concept of peace through our current journey.
At any rate, we are both profoundly grateful for getting to where we are now – especially given where we started – and are turning our faces to the ever-brightening horizon in the certain hope of good things to come.
Moved in Sundry Places 
Dear Scott and Mary Elizabeth.
Every day I read your blog I am amazed at your poise. You both have been very inspiring for me. I look forward to the day I get to see you both safely home again.
Chris Dunne
Dear Scott and Mary Elizabeth,
While it has been quite a long time since I have left a comment on your blog, I read it with anticipation every day. I am amazed at how far Mary Elizabeth has come since you returned to London, Scott. Mary Elizabeth, you are truly a remarkable woman and a treasured friend. I can’t wait for you to return to New York.
Today, we had our Annual Meeting at church and I was reminded of how your family and my own started attending this church together. What a wonderful decision that was!!! We have definitely found a home. Our children are very happy there. Charlotte sang “Amazing Grace” so beautifully this morning, it brought tears to my eyes. You would be proud.
This Friday, the LVEPC will be having our annual Dinner, Dance and Auction which I am co-chairing this year. We have some amazing baskets to be auctioned off and when I look at the list of play tickets, I am reminded of the ones that you won last year which you so generously shared with Kevin and me. We had a great time with you both in NYC. Mary Elizabeth, you are one lucky person in more ways than one.
I continue to check in with Grandma Lucille every day and help drive your kids to their various activities. It is a joy and a pleasure to spend this time with each of your children and Grandma and Kay too!
Hurry up and come home. We all miss you!
Blessings!
Kristie
Hi Scott and Mary Elizabeth,
The birds have changed their tunes here too. A flock of robins descended on our holly tree, and I am sure the berries must have been fermented. The robins became more and more raucous fighting, falling, and generally making a racket before disappearing en masse.
A general sense of rising sap is in the air despite the snow on the ground. The last full moon of Winter passed this Saturday, and I have had a surge of hopefulness hearing about your progress.
It will be a great time to return to New York.
There are many Happy Times ahead.
Cheers!
Ann
Hi Scott and MaryElizabeth
My day is not complete until I read how ME is doing. WELL, what a great ending of my day to hear how great you are diong MaryElizabeth.
My husband and I, and children think of you both everyday. Our prayers are with you..Spring is coming soon, and you will, I’m sure be home soon as well.
Always is our thoughts,
JoAnne.
Hi Scott and Mary Elizebeth,
Thanks for the updates that I and everyone else continue to read. Mary we are so happy with your progress and I call Aunt Lu almost every Sat. to also let her know how happy we are. Can’t wait until we hear that you are on your way back to New York. God Bless.
Whitey and Susie
Jessica and Jason
Scott and MEL – it is so great to hear about the continued progress – – – go MEL go!!! I can’t wait for the description of when MEL gets her voice back (we all pray it will be soon). I trust she will have MUCH to say (mostly praise for her strong, courageous husband, who never gave up:>) and that there won’t be a dry eye when your devoted readers open that day’s post. You remain in our thoughts and prayers – All the best – Faye
Although I haven’t written in a while, I’ve been happily reading the daily blog. Such wonderful news of your progress,Mary Elizabeth. I’ll be eager to hear of the day you are able to return home. God has blessed you both with remarkable patience and perseverance. Your whole family is at the top of my prayer list–it takes a while because there are a lot of you! But it’s an act of love for all of you.
Peace and love,
Jane
ME!
How unimaginably wonderful that we can write to you directly. We have all been sticking close by you and Scott as he has daily told us of every moment, every detail and every emotion.
You are a wonder, and if you didn’t know it before, you are a most loved person.
Welcome back! We will all be here during every next step.
With love and hope and great good cheer,
Pamela
Dearest Mary Elizabeth:
I am so thrilled to learn about all your progress and especially happy to know that your voice is returning! Your voice has always been beautiful, strong, clear, and lovely. Your laughter is robust, deep and contagious. It was great to catch up with you in the fall and hear your voice and laughter. Keep getting stronger and healthier. I love you dearly, honey.
with love,
Andi
Scott,
Please tell ME that her friends at TIAA-CREF are reading the blog everyday and pulling for her.
John Cerra
Hi there! Our prayers are with MaryElizabeth. We look foward to her return to the USA! Anything we can do for you, please let us know.
Love,
Germaine
Dear Mary Elizabeth,
I hope some day my husband and I might meet you. Your story, so faithfully and evocatively conveyed by Scott, first got my attention at the beginning of your illness when he began to post. At that point, it prompted prayer for a sister in crisis in England from which we had recently moved after living there a year. Your story progressed from concerning (me) and worrying to moving and praying to hoping and believing to knowing and rejoicing. All the while you and your bravery and perseverence have uplifted me.
Today, I just felt touched and warmed at the thought of you and Scott snoozing amid the “hurly burly of ward activities.” Every moment of life is precious – you are proving that to me and the rest of the 500 (probably more, but only God knows).
Cheers, dear lady!
~ Maria in Annandale
Dear Scott and Mary Elizabeth, How your progress gives me such happiness! Smiling, sitting up, watching movies, talking with the best language possible- that of the heart: all these things are joyous. Acceptance is a very big achievement, and peace is the flowering of that seed. You have given all of us a garden, and we love you for it. Hugs! Love, Noelle
It’s awesome to see how God answers prayer even if it is not always exactly how or when you want it answered, but you continue to be in our prayers daily and we look forward to the day when you get back home. Thank you for the great updates on the blog.