Henare O'Keefe: Illness can also bring stillness

Henare O'Keefe.

An ailment of sorts has the ability to cause oneself to reflect and contemplate.

To remove the clutter and proverbial and to realise what really matters in life.

In the isolation of one's home a time of quiet reflection often prevails, as has been the case with yours truly (I'll come back to this later).

This being the fourth day of my rehab following a much awaited hip replacement, courtesy of the taxpayer/state.

My predicament has been well documented re facilitating my way through what seemed an at times complex, expensive non-empathetic public health system.

This on occasions requires patience, tolerance and a network of loving, caring empathetic support. Those who are willing to doggedly walk the journey with you.

The fact of the matter is the needs far outweigh the resources. At one stage, at the behest of friends, I seriously contemplated going offshore for relief.

But that's another story for another day. Suffice to say I cannot speak highly enough of the staff at the Hawkes Bay Hospital.

To all you modern day Florence Nightingales (tea ladies, orderlies, cleaners, nurses, physios, surgeons).

Your passion, kindness, gentleness, humility, love, sense of humour and patience knows no bounds. Because of your approach the fears and prejudices I harboured have dissipated.

My healing began from the moment I met you. It continues today at a rapid rate, in fact I am well ahead of schedule. You gave me a sense of value, affirmation and importance.

I and my whanau are eternally grateful to you all. May your magic continue to heal, restore and uplift. Yours is a gift and service to be respected and indeed honoured.

Oft times the Good Lord has to put us on our backs so that we look up.

As if to say "Henare I cannot talk to you when you are rushing all over the place, you need to stand still for a moment".

Alas he opened the eyes of my heart. I felt like a jewel shaped with the hammer and chisel of adversity.

If the hammer is not strong enough God will use a sledgehammer. If we're really stubborn he will use a jack hammer.

We know that these troubles produce patience.

And patience produces character. What happens outwardly in your life is not as important as what happens inside you.

Your circumstances are temporary but character is permanent.

- Henare O'Keefe is a Hastings District councillor.

- Views expressed here are the writer's opinion and not the newspaper's. Email: editor@hbtoday.co.nz