A few months ago, the vicar of our village (and a few others, as tends to happen nowadays) began to feel unwell. He went to the doctor, referrals were made, tests were done etc. Then it was suggested he should be tested for bowel cancer.
It wasn't that. It was pancreatic cancer. A biopsy showed secondaries in several places, mainly the liver.
I'll hold my hand up here and say I'm not much of a one for organised religion, but this is a good man. That might sound a strange thing to say about a Church of England vicar - who might be assumed to be a good man anyway - but I don't just mean good as in following all the commandments, I mean good in the way that new bread or fresh water or ripe apples are good. He's been the best vicar I can remember, whether it's been to do with visiting the sick, organising events for the schoolchildren, being a shoulder to cry on (even for those of us who aren't hot on churchgoing)
Not once has he complained or asked 'why me?' all his concern has been for his wife and what she will do.
He was meant to start chemo this week, but he's too ill. Suddenly he seems to have deteriorated very rapidly.. this morning he was slipping in and out of consciousness. I really don't think he'll be with us much longer.
Please, send good thoughts, for him and his wife (they've been together for nearly 40 years)
It wasn't that. It was pancreatic cancer. A biopsy showed secondaries in several places, mainly the liver.
I'll hold my hand up here and say I'm not much of a one for organised religion, but this is a good man. That might sound a strange thing to say about a Church of England vicar - who might be assumed to be a good man anyway - but I don't just mean good as in following all the commandments, I mean good in the way that new bread or fresh water or ripe apples are good. He's been the best vicar I can remember, whether it's been to do with visiting the sick, organising events for the schoolchildren, being a shoulder to cry on (even for those of us who aren't hot on churchgoing)
Not once has he complained or asked 'why me?' all his concern has been for his wife and what she will do.
He was meant to start chemo this week, but he's too ill. Suddenly he seems to have deteriorated very rapidly.. this morning he was slipping in and out of consciousness. I really don't think he'll be with us much longer.
Please, send good thoughts, for him and his wife (they've been together for nearly 40 years)
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