PT on Friday and Mass on Saturday

Physical Therapy on Friday
We didn't know which physical therapist to expect on Friday.  Christa was away in Tennessee, and Cheryn was attending a class.  We were told that someone would be assigned, but shortly after we arrived, it appeared that wouldn't happen.  The staff was four people short, and we were asked if we could come back in the afternoon.  After we said we couldn't, a voice from behind spoke.  "I can help her," she said, "if she can wait a few minutes."

Her name is Catalina, a name I love.  I thought it was beautiful even before I realized it's the Spanish version of Katherine, Catherine, or Kathleen.  We'd noticed her before.  She's tall and stands erect, and on Friday she wore a white jacket and white slacks, clean and neatly pressed, that complimented her jet black hair.  

Under her able guidance, Mary Ann worked for 20 minutes on a recumbent cross-trainer, being careful not to violate her hip precautions.  Then came a series of leg exercises with a three pound weight bound to each ankle.  The most challenging exercise was the one in which she had to lift one leg and the opposite hand, then the do the same with the other leg and hand.  She did two sets of 20 reps each, and she did them well.  

Next came a long walk in the hallway, during which Catalina observed and coached Mary Ann about her hip positioning.  Then, after a rest and drink of water, they did it again.    Catalina complimented Mary Ann on how well she was doing and predicted that her hip precautions would soon be lifted.

There was time for conversation during our hour together.  We learned that Catalina would be traveling to her native country, Colombia, with her twin daughters the following day, and that we share the same wedding anniversary date, but not the same year!  The session ended with warm hugs and warm feelings, a nice way to end.  


Mass on Saturday
On Saturday, the 4:00 Mass at the Cathedral was very special, not only because it was the closing Mass for the 125th anniversary year, but also because of all our friends and co-workers there who knew about Mary Ann's hip replacement and my eye surgery.  It was humbling to see and hear so many expressing genuine concern, saying they'd been praying for us, and wanting to hear how we were doing.  

At Mass we gather as a community to worship God.  We listen to His Word, we receive Him in Holy Communion, and we also experience His presence in those around us.  On Saturday, I felt an especially stong sense of God's presence in the people, because of those whose actions showed how much they care.