Several years ago, on my return from a long trip around the world, it was apparent that I was very ill and in need of nursing care. I was taken to a nursing home for Christian Scientists near New York City. Although I was receiving help from a Christian Science practitioner, I did not want to live. Internal difficulties caused constant nausea, fever, pain, and nightmares. Also, the future held problems I was afraid to face.
The morning after my arrival, a nurse came to care for me. She looked at me with such love and said, "Oh, dear one, live, live!" I was deeply touched that a perfect stranger wanted so earnestly for me to live, but I felt too tired to go on.
One evening, several weeks later, I felt an overwhelming desire to give my consent to slip into death. While I was debating whether to do so, a nurse sitting beside my bed sensed this temptation and urged me not to accept it. Then I remembered the loving care of the nurses, the devotion of my daughter and the practitioner, and knew that I could not let go.
That night, for the first time in two months, I slept peacefully. Toward morning I thought of these words (Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, p. 487): "The understanding that Life is God, Spirit, lengthens our days by strengthening our trust in the deathless reality of Life, its almightiness and immortality." I awoke to a room that seemed filled with life—wonderful, beautiful, vibrant life! And I was alive with gratitude to God for Christian Science and our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, and for all those who were helping me. In the face of such gratitude, the suggestions of disease claiming to harm me physically could not persist, and gradually they left.
But more occurred at the nursing home than my complete healing. Before my marriage I had concertized a great deal as a vocal accompanist. Afterward I performed occasionally, until I stopped altogether. In the reception room of the home there was a beautiful grand piano, and one afternoon I felt impelled to play it. The next day I learned that a guest, who was a prominent musician, had inquired who was playing. At her request I played every evening for the balance of my stay. The day before I left we met for the first time. She urged me to prepare for playing again in public, as there was some performing she would like us to do together when her health was restored. That was my incentive to begin practicing again. Just one year later an opportunity came from another source to play in public, and I have continued performing ever since.
That was fifteen years ago, and the intervening years have been filled with delightful activity, travel, and interesting experiences. My gratitude for all who participated in this wonderful healing continues to grow. Today I can say with Paul (II Cor. 2:14), "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."
I am especially grateful for class instruction in Christian Science and the yearly association meeting, because they have implemented the realization that came to me in the nursing home—that Life is God, Spirit.
New York, New York
