About two weeks ago I found a shadow in my right eye. I had had problems with this eye about five years ago, but since the lens had been replaced I couldn’t imagine that this shadow was serious. Now two weeks and two surgeries to repair multiple tears in my retina in that eye later, I am one eyed as the right one is swollen shut for the second time in two weeks.

I’ve been utterly dependent on the kindness of friends and family during this time. For the first week I had to lie on my left side and not get up for more than an hour a day. Now I have to keep my head down to let the gas bubble that completely takes up the volume in my eye reabsorb and keep the healing retinal tears from coming unstuck. My husband, whom I’ve misjudged in the past as not being able to tolerate any infirmity, has read to me, put eye drops in my eyes, driven me to doctors and hospitals, and generally been a good humored nurse. My daughter Blake is made for this kind of emergency. She marshals community resources and has, with Murray’s children and Second Wind (my spiritual community), organized every evening meal for two weeks.

I think of myself as not very gracious when needing help. I’ve found I needed a lot of it. For all of you who have helped with phone calls, meals and visits, I am so moved by the humor, generosity, and love that has been given to me. If you are reading this as a regular or occasional visitor and not as a personal friend, know this. Karen Armstrong says that religion was meant to be about action, not belief. We act like generous and loving people and by these actions we are known as “religious.” I can tell you that this definition and demonstration make perfect sense to me. Thanks to all who have acted in behalf of the one eyed monster!