Freds Courage

Fred belongs to our meditation group and has Cancer. We do allot of God bothering together with his wife, mother, brother, sister in law and about 4 other ladies not related to Fred. I don't know that much about his life. At the group tonight, Fred told us that the disease has spread to his stomach but he's not giving up hope of a miracle. Fred, it was so hard sitting there hearing you say that mate. But how much harder for you to tell us? And then.... tell us that you would like us to sing at the Requiem Mass for the funeral. Ive been bottling up unspoken intersessions in my heart for the past couple of months Fred, and I am ashamed to say that I was too scared to say my blessing and thanks aloud for the gift of you and the special grace that you have brought to our group. So I just had to say them tonight, even though I was scared because, you mate, must be way more scared than me. I was scared because of these middle aged Catholic people, might think "how dare she" "she doesn't know us" and that stupid selfish thought and the suffocating feeling stopped me from sharing aloud that I care about you and that I pray for you and that I feel some of your pain and ask for your courage to grow and honour you. Week after week you faithfully come to our group, all through winter, no matter how you feel. You are there. You 'll probably never see this or know its written here, but from now on I promise to you, that you will hear me bless and thank you, until we go our separate ways. Even then Ill miss you and send up a prayer wrapped in your name. You've touched my life in a unique way. Dona Nobis Pacem!