“We must not wish for the disappearance of our troubles but for the grace to transform them.”
~ Simone Weil
I’ve talked about Dr. Barbara Fleming-Phillips before. Her mad skills as a healer need to be mentioned again. Things go a little wacky as our bodies age. Some of the wackiness can be serious, of course, but most of it isn’t. Still, some things can turn fatal in a hurry if we don’t have somebody to look after us properly. I don’t mean a spouse or friend. I mean a doctor that believes in the art of helping and healing. Dr. Fleming-Phillips is extraordinary. She has saved countless lives that she doesn’t even realize she has saved. Sometimes saving a life isn’t as Hollywood would have us believe. Quality of life is every bit as important as quantity. I would argue that quality quite often allows quantity to increase. I’m learning how my body is aging, and Dr. FP’s care makes the transition easier, healthier. She helps me help myself. That’s what a healer is meant to do. I talked to a friend earlier this week who said she hated being middle aged. I considered that statement because it is, frankly, hard having your body fail one little piece at a time. Aging ain’t for sissies, I always say. But then I told my friend that we are lucky. I have many loved ones that died young; people who would have given anything for the opportunity to be middle aged. Through Dr. Fleming-Phillips’ care I am (eventually) able to brush off all my annoying physical breakdowns and go on to enjoy all the wonders this life – this flawed, achy, sagging, sleepless middle aged life – has to offer. Every achy sagging cell in my body is grateful for being middle aged and I am deeply grateful for Dr. FP making it better.
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