Don’t Take Anything for Granted. We’re All on Life Support.

Last updated on: April 22, 2021 at 3:48 pm by Paul Louis Metzger

Don’t Take Anything for Granted. We’re All on Life Support. 2021-04-22T15:48:58-07:00 Paul Louis Metzger

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Cherry tree with blossoms, W. Carter; Creative Commons

Last night as I made my way to the hospital entrance, I looked up to see the trees clothed and decorated with pink blossoms. A bit later I enjoyed a glorious sunset from Christopher’s hospital room, where he rests in a comatose state. Now my wife and I pray he will open his eyes and see those same trees and glorious sunsets. I don’t take such sights for granted, that is, since he’s been on life support for three months.

I gravitated to this morning’s news that the Perseverance rover just made enough oxygen on Mars to sustain an astronaut for about ten minutes. There on Mars at least my son and I would be on level footing, or both on our backside, depending on the circumstances. Just like me he is able to breathe on his own here on earth—even room air. Still, at this point, he requires a tracheostomy tube to breathe effectively. Neither of us could last for long on Mars, though, apart from an oxygen mask.

I need those blossoming trees here on earth on Earth Day today and similar wonders of creation throughout the year. It has been claimed that one large tree can produce enough oxygen to sustain four people for a day. Trees also remove carbon dioxide from the air.

I also need my son to blossom again here on earth. The news I received that fateful night in January that he was in emergency surgery for a traumatic brain injury took my breath away. It’s been hard to breathe ever since.

The last video we have of Christopher was taken just two days prior to the injury. His wife Keyonna says “I love you” to which he responds “I love you, too” before he departs for the day. His last text message to his Mom the day of the injury was just one word—“Understood.” They had been corresponding about something they were working on together. Little did we know what awaited us all that evening.

I long for the day when Christopher can say “I love you, too” to his family and “Understood.” Right now, all I can do is say “I love you, Son” and “Can you hear me? Do you understand?”

Don’t take anything for granted. We are all on life support in one way or another. The earth and the trees and our various relationships support our lives. Please keep this all in mind before it’s too late.

Uncategorized

About Paul Louis Metzger

Paul Louis Metzger, Ph.D., is Professor of Theology & Culture, Multnomah University & Seminary; Director of The Institute for Cultural Engagement: New Wine, New Wineskins; and Author of numerous works, including Setting the Spiritual Clock: Sacred Time Breaking Through the Secular Eclipse. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

April 19, 2021

Develop an Emotional Stimulus Package for Dealing Well with Trauma

Next Post

April 26, 2021 Don’t Pile On More Than You Can Bear in Tackling Trauma

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month June 2025 April 2025 March 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz