Inadequate

At the risk of saying something I might regret down the road, I have to admit I am pretty drained tonight, having completed a run of a few very tiring days, most of which I can't discuss.

To top it off, as I was returning to my office from lunch, my phone rang.  A family I know from a previous parish assignment was on the way to Children's Hospital for an emergency surgery for their granddaughter, who was not yet Baptized.  "Um..., Father, what do we do?!?!"  "I'm on my way."

Of course, I hit every red light, got behind every slow truck, etc. on my way there.  (At least I didn't get lost and Children's isn't terribly far from downtown.)

I managed to get to the room as they were getting ready to take her into surgery, I grabbed a cup, some water and poured and said the right words.  That's that.

I couldn't leave, so spent the rest of the afternoon with the family as the little one was in surgery, pretty heart wrenching stuff, I have to admit.  We have, reportedly, one of the best Children's Hospitals in the country here in Cincinnati, and the people who work there are absolutely fantastic in making the kids feel as much at home as possible; but it drains me to be there.

Why the child's life was never in danger, she is going to face an uphill battle and some adjustments.  Please pray for a quick recovery for her, peace for her parents and grandparents, and thanksgiving for the doctors and nurses who work so tirelessly at our hospitals and clinics around the country, especially those who work with children.  I'm spent, and I didn't do much besides be there, which can sometimes be comfort enough.

If you can, spare a prayer for me, too, please.  Because despite doing a (hopefully) good deed today, work still needs to be done and I don't have the energy to do it right now.  Some days, the best you can do is feel inadequate and hope God makes up the difference.