Didn't I do this IN game, once?

[rikibeth]

talandra is in the ICU, after a SECOND stroke followed the first one that put her in the hospital.

I couldn't commission any art from jetshade, because I've been out of work this summer. Gas money was also in pretty short supply, so I haven't been able to visit, either.

This morning, in the post about the second stroke, jetshade asked for prayers, candles, anything.

Despite my strong doubts that the God-of-my-fathers listens to me, I cracked my presentation Hebrew bible for, I think, the first time since my bat mitzvah (January 15, 1983. Says so on the cover), in order to get at the psalms, because that's what you're supposed to DO when someone is critically ill, right?

Except I think there's more to it than that. There's some sort of numerology to know which ones you ought to say, and it'd be based on talandra's Torah name, which I DO NOT KNOW, and even if it had been on the imprinting on the kipah from her first wedding (I don't think it was, I think those were just imprinted in English) I gave that back to her after the divorce, so...

...and it probably works a lot better if you can say them in Hebrew, too, and I appear to have forgotten at least half the alphabet.

I did read through forty, in English. I may read through more. But it feels alien.

Then I remembered what Tetsuko (my character from her Star Fantasy game) would do in the same situation: fold a thousand paper cranes.

emoshukuhai1438 and eternaleponine said they'd help.

I went out and got paper -- some patterned, some colored, and one huge 750-sheet memo block.

emoshukuhai1438 used to have origami books, but I don't know where they got to. The internet provided directions.

We have a crate. And a tally sheet. We're up to 137.

We watched "Real Genius" while we were folding this batch. The next batch will be to "The Cutting Edge."

I may even get emoshukuhai1438 to hook up the VCR, since we only have the Trilogy on VHS.

863 to go.

Comments

[slythwolf.livejournal.com]

Are you amenable to help? I might be able to fold some cranes.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I think there are multiple crane-folding efforts going on, actually. I'm just tallying the ones from my household.

Do you know her? Because it makes a difference, at least in my brain. If you do... great. If not... whatever you'd normally do when someone on your friendslist posts asking for prayers and kind thoughts and so on for a sick friend you don't know.

Although if you add something Star Wars themed to your normal efforts, it couldn't hurt.

[tamidon.livejournal.com]

I can help,I'll get some paper on monday,if not tomrrow

I did 1003 for my wedding

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

thanks.

what the hell is it with our friends and strokes lately? THIS IS NOT FUNNY.

[auspeople.livejournal.com]

How old is this person?

The universe is really being mean in the young people getting all sick and dying department these days. It needs to get over itself... now.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

41. Her health is not the greatest -- diabetic, congestive heart failure, lots of nasty.

Universe? Stoppit.

[auspeople.livejournal.com]

Dude. That just sucks. I'm frakkin 41.

I was over reading her husband's blog this morning. Almost cried. I can't even imagine. At. All.

I don't pray. But I have lots of get healthy thoughts, and I'm sending them all toward the north east.

Good luck with the cranes and the Hebrew.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

*snicker* Yeah, I think Jet would probably answer to "husband." We were definitely calling her side of the aisle & her dressing room "the groom's side" at the wedding.

Did I mention they live in Massachusetts?

[auspeople.livejournal.com]

Oops... I thought something like that might be the case, but referring to Tali as "my wife" threw me off.

Opens mouth, inserts leg.

[tikvah.livejournal.com]

Debbie Friedman is an amazing Jewish songwriter who incorporates traditional blessings with contemporary and accessible english, and lovely tunes. She wrote a prayer song based on the traditional prayer of healing, Mi Shebeirach, that doesn't require all that obscure crap that is found in traditional Conservative and Orthodox liturgies.

A website with her music is here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/dfriedman5

When you get to the site, start looking down the column on the left side of the screen, until you find Mi Shebeirach, and then give it a listen. It's so accessible and lovely that even I can get through singing it without driving everyone around me screaming out the sanctuary doors.

If this appeals to you at all, I can scare up the lyrics and music easily enough. It's one of the most popular reform prayers out there.

I'll sing the song tonight in her your friend's honor.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Haven't you met Tia, at Arisia or something? I know you've heard me talk about her -- the Star Fantasy GM.

Also the kiddo's godmother.

[tikvah.livejournal.com]

If I've ever met her, it must have been briefly in passing, because I just can't associate a face. But I've heard about her frequently over the years through your journal and in person, so I know how important she is to you.

[tikvah.livejournal.com]

I sang the prayer song. I'll do it again in the morning. Keep us posted, OK?

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I will. jetshade's journal has all the details.

Did you know about our brother dpolicar? He, at least, is doing well -- due home from rehab on Monday, recovering more function every day, it seems like.

[tikvah.livejournal.com]

Didn't know. Don't know him well, either. I'll sing for him as well.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

He was my big brother when I pledged. I see him sometimes at Camberville-area events.

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

Heavens. I'm very sorry to hear.

May your friend be blessed.

[labellerose.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry. Whatever prayers I can send are on their way.

[nicoleallee.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear and thinking of you both. You'll be in my prayers.

[kebbykate.livejournal.com]

I can do the praying thing, you do the folding thing, the intention is what has power. If what you do cannot feel genuine in your heart, then it has no power. If what you do does feel right and true, then the power is infinite.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I thought that's how it worked.

[kebbykate.livejournal.com]

Exactly so!

[fasteronfire525.livejournal.com]

You're Jewish? Cool!
^_^

Also, sorry to hear about your friend. :/ The cranes are a wonderful idea! At the very least, if she's stuck in the hospital or in her bed recouperating you could have someone hang them all from her ceiling for her to look at.

And i know how you feel about religion becoming alien to you. I was raised a good Catholic, private school and everything. And by now, I've decided that most religions are just rituals and gatherings to make people feel more secure about death and hardship, because those are usually the only times people resort to it. It seems strange to take part in it again after so many years out of the loop that you kinda feel you may as well be praying to some sun-god or forest spirit. For now, the only religios concept i really have faith in is karma.

[ihadtimetokill.livejournal.com]

Have to agree/echo Alexis here -- except for some of the last bits; I wasn't raised religious and don't get it at all, seems strange and forced and all...but my thoughts are with you, your friend, and will encourage speedy, successful, healing crane creations. <3

[fasteronfire525.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my mom told me to say some prayers that somebody would get better and my response was 'How about i just hope they get better. It's the same thing, really.' :p

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

She's in my thoughts and prayers.

[head-shrinker.livejournal.com]

Seems like you are open to help? I'll send some along ASAP if you want!

PS - what a great idea!

[head-shrinker.livejournal.com]

I forgot to say, I'm so sorry for your friend. They'll be in my thoughts.

[greeneyes-rpi.livejournal.com]

Just read jetshade's account.

No words. What a terrifying situation. I'll be sending what healing thoughts I can to your friend.