A blessing

Earlier this week, I learned that my good friend Vicki's chemotherapy would begin today (Friday). I was in a bit of a muddle, because the North open house was Wednesday and then we had a Renewal minyan meeting (alternative service at our synagogue, Beth Shalom) scheduled for our house Thursday night. AND, I had a Beth Shalom personnel committee meeting at 3:45...so, I emailed a few women friends. I made some soup in the crockpot and got home just as other women arrived. They brought salad, bread and hummus, drinks. We shared a meal at our dining room table, then as we finished eating, we passed -- one woman to the next -- a small bowl containing some shells which Vicki had gathered on the beach. As each woman held the small bowl in front of her, she gave a message of support and love to Vicki. Hopefully, Vicki will remember all the kind words whenever she looks at that little bowl of shells.

Then, we moved out onto the back porch. We held hands and breathed quietly for a minute, then I read aloud this healing meditation:

Healing Meditation --- by Ariel Neshama Lee

I wrote this healing meditation for a friend diagnosed with a brain tumor. It can be used for healing from pain, stress or grief by substituting these words wherever the word “tumor” appears. I wish to acknowledge my teacher and friend, Carol Rose, for her gifts of wisdom and light, which inspire my writing and my spirituality.
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Imagine that you are walking in the desert. You see a woman approaching you. This woman is Sarah. She gives you a candle that never goes out. Meditate on the flame. Feel the streams of light entering your body, penetrating every cell, becoming a part of you. This light is healing and energizing. Feel this light surround and envelop the cancerous cells in your body. Envision the light leaving your body, taking the cancerous cells with it.

Now you see another woman approaching you. This woman is Rivkah. She gives you a beautiful golden cup filled with sparkling water. Pour the water over your body. It becomes a waterfall. Feel it as it shines and shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow. Feel this water cleanse, soothe, and heal you as it washes any residue of the cancerous cells away.

Another woman approaches you. This woman is Rachel. She gives you a beautiful silk tallit with all the colors of the rainbow. Wrap yourself in the tallit. Feel the soft fabric caress you. Feel the Presence of Shekhinah all around you and within you. Feel the healing energy as you connect to the Divine Healer, Rofeh ha-Cholim.

You meet another woman. This woman is Leah. She gives you a beautiful flower. The flower bursts into full bloom. It becomes a part of you. Feel the flower fill the space where the cancerous cells were inside your body. Feel the space where the cancerous cells were fill with hope, rebirth and renewal.

The women join hands and make a circle around you and bless you. You thank them for the gifts. Know that these gifts will always be there for you. Call on them when you are afraid, tired, exhausted, and in need of healing. Know that Shekhinah is always there for you. Know that the Divine Healer neither slumbers nor sleeps and is always there for you, lifting you on Healing Wings and renewing your strength.

Then, a magical moment. Diane David gave to Vicki a new lithograph of Bruce's -- containing the Four Matriarchs! It just could not have been more perfect. Vicki loved it.

We then gathered around Vicki and laid our hands on her and sang the Misheberach blessing for healing.

I felt really lucky to have each woman as my friend.

I wish Vicki did not have to go through this, but I think she is really wise to be open about it and accept loving support from her friends and family.