As a non-Christian, I sometimes wonder why this day is called "Good Friday"? What could have been "good" about the death of Jesus Christ? It seems like a strange name to me. Always has. It's weird. Although I am not religious, for some reason, Good Friday and Easter have always gotten me thinking about religion and life, more so than any other holiday on the calendar. More than Christmas, more than Thanksgiving, Passover, Kwanzaa, etc. There is something about the story, the history of Jesus that just gets me thinking this time of year.
I suppose it's the story of compassion throughout the New Testament that registers with me so profoundly. Forgiveness. Turning the other cheek. Love of our neighbor. These are important concepts to anyone. Perhaps more so for a physician. Even more for an oncologist.
Today was an amazing day. It's been just over a year since my friend, Elephant Number 5, as I refer to her in a prior post, died of complications from a bone marrow transplant. One year. Sadly, I've been so busy, I haven't thought of her that much. Someone so sweet, so gentle, so important to my life, yet forgotten amidst the business and daily trauma of my life.
One year ago. She would have wanted me to drink a beer for her on this day or watch a sunset or drink a beer AND watch a sunset. She was lyrical like that. Spiritual. Funny. Fun.
What is life, except a string of seemingly unconnected experiences that add up to a tapestry of a life? We are all alone in the end. All alone in this absurd life, filled alternately with tragedy and happiness. Alone in our search for meaning in a short stint of breathing.
I'm not sure if being an oncologist has helped or hurt me spiritually.
I miss naivete sometimes.
I miss that nervousness I used to feel in college before a date with a girl.
I strangely reminisce randomly on the past even though I'm only 34.
I digress.
Good Friday.
I guess it is a Good Friday.
A Friday to think, to feel.
Brain tumor, pathologic leg fracture, leukemic blasts, swollen spleen, intubation, dialysis, DO NOT RESUSCITATE, FULL CODE, lung biopsy, hand holding, crying, living, dying...
It's all just a normal Friday. Random... very human.
Friday, April 06, 2007
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2 comments:
I just came from a modified version of "The Stations of the Cross". A self-guided, interactive series of stations where I could think about Jesus and what he did. And why. It's weird and neat to come from that and read your blog entry.
I always thought the name was strange as well. "Black Friday" "Death Friday" those make sense. Yet at the end of tonight, in the midst of life's tragedies, I had a deep sense of how much Jesus goes ahead of us and walks with us in our suffering. Somehow for him, the thought of intimacy with us was a 'joy seet before him' that let him 'endure the cross, scorning it's shame...'. In entering through what seems so dark and painful, I emerged into how good he is. So, I guess, ultimately, it's a really good Friday.
Sorry, I guess I need to do my own post! You really hit a nerve in me.
Your posts are always powerful.
Dear,Friend
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day,
Christians remember the day when Jesus was crucified on a cross.
The date of Good Friday changes every year. See our main Easter
page to find out why.
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