I Must Be Weird

Well, I just finished my first hospital visit since being called as Rector at St. Thomas in Eugene, Oregon. Yes, I have been here since August 1st and this is my first hospital call. I don't know why. An unexplained outbreak of good health? An unwillingness to trust the new guy? Whatever has been causing a lack of need for the Rector at hospital bedside, that drought is now over. Well, at least I did get to do one visit.
What's wierd is that I really enjoy being in the hospital. I don't know if it is the fact that I have worked in hospitals before. I don't know if it that feeling of being truly needed (and wanted) that you don't always get day-to-day or even Sunday-to-Sunday. Whatever is the reason, I just like being in the hospital.
I had a wonderful visit with an 86 year old parishioner who is in for some complications of COPD. Nothing serious. I got a chance to learn all about his incredible interesting life. He has done some incredible things! His courage and willingness to risk throughout his life was impressive. I really enjoyed getting to know him. He used to do hospital visits with one of his parish priests as a young man, so was very open to praying, being annointed, and taking communion.
All in all, it was a wonderful and blessed visit. I think I got as much out of the visit as he did! Praise God for all his mysteries.