Seven can mean many things. Seven days of the week. Or the title of a film. And if you have seen the film (or are an old-time christian) you’ll know the number also refers to the seven deadly sins. You’ll know that they’re also called capital vices or cardinal sins. They are part of Christian ethics (remember ethics?) and have been used to educate and instruct Christians (the guys killed by the Romans). They are the kind of sin that gets you into deep trouble, they destroy the life of grace and charity. As those amongst you who are good in ethics (!) will know, Thomas Aquinas defined charity as the friendship of man for God, but also to the love of your neighbour, and as the most excellent of virtues. – I have been thinking a lot about charity, in its original sense, lately, of love of your neighbor, and of all this ‘stuff’ that has had a hard time in recent times where time is money, education has to produce jobs, and research license fees. – Anyways…
Seven is also 7 months, or: 30.5 weeks, or: 214 days, or: 5,136 hours, or: 308,160 minutes, or: 18,489,600 seconds – the time since Pádraig’s accident. Can you believe it? I have a hard time understanding what happened, if one can understand the impact of something like this at all, ever. It’s like as if somebody that day decided to flick a switch and see what happened. There are still times when I cannot grasp the enormity of what happened; times when I want to pinch myself to wake up and get back to ‘real life’; times when I feel like as if someone just pulled a string and flushed my body empty; times when I think about the future and know nothing will ever be the same. (Of course, the last ‘truth’ is a given and known since forever.)
When we arrived to visit Pádraig, he had moved again. Now he is in the last room before the exit from the ward. It’s more symbolic than anything else, I guess, but, hopefully, the symbolism will eventually translate into action (as it often does) and he’ll move out of this place, and move into more focused rehab. Which is the plan. Once he’ll have recovered from the operations. It is sometimes hard to see improvements in Pádraig’s condition: he is still in a coma, still on a trache, still with a PEG, still has problems with his lungs – but, and it’s a big but, he is much more ‘present’ than he ever has been since the accident. While this is hard to explain and even harder to measure (in a world where absolutely everything seems to be measured, this is important), it can be: he opens his eyes when you talk to him (most times), he reacts with mouth movements, he squeezes your hand, and (occasionally) moves his head and arms. Stuff he (usually) does not do if no-one is in the room. Compare that with how he was seven months ago, or even three months ago, and you’ll agree that he is getting better. Which is what we can’t wait for! (I keep telling him.)
Finally, a reminder to tell ALL your family and friends about the events coming up this and next week, the 10+ bands playing at 2 super gigs, and the not-to-be-missed table quiz. Check out the details here.
There are more than 270 people on Facebook saying they are going to the Workman’s Club this coming Wednesday. Some are coming back home to Ireland especially for the concert. Unbelievable!
Today’s German Music Tip
Udo Lindenberg (with Eric Burden), Wir müssen raus aus den Dreck (We gotta get out of this place), 1979 and 2004 – waaahnsin! how the two of them changed in those 25 years! – And if you really want to see something great, watch Eric Burden and the Animals sing their first hit on TV in 1965.
What’s hot
Whistleblowers
What’s cold
Red Herings
The German word/phrase/verse of the day
Waaahnsin!
Twitter: @forPadraig
#caringforPadraig
http://www.caringforPadraig.org
Upcoming events: http://www.caringforPadraig.org/events
Hospi-Tales 
In numerology, number 8 is the number of change. Padraig is getting ready for change now. In a new room by the exit door. On to better things. So next month will be Padraig’s, 8th month. February 2014 is going to be good! To herald this in ,the huge amount of ‘gatherings’ about to take place for Padraig, will act as a incredible energy force for himi, for you all!.
This collective conciousness will simply create pure magic! With you all, Chris, Paul, Emily and Andrew Barnes.
Thank you, Chris! I think Pádraig is sensing what is going on in Dublin these days. And his movement today, the tiny little wave with his fingers to the doctor were so contagious that the whole ward was celebrating. Keep the energy flowing. Take some videos and pictures of tomorrow night and we’ll show them to him. – Reinhard
Also, this Friday it’s the Chinese New Year, which is the year of the horse. This should be a time of new beginnings and luck for Pádraig as he was born in the year of the horse in 1990. I’m really excited for what February has to bring for him 🙂
Looks like February already kicking in, Lisa. Spring time is almost there! (And the year of the horse!) – Reinhard
Hello, Reinhard. Sincere thanks to Pádraig. He provided the inspiration for the reference in my presentation, a couple of hours ago, to doves, crows and seagulls. A serious point was thereby made (I hope).
And, much more importantly, may the news continue good.
With best wishes, Louise.
I’ll pass that on, Louise! Doves, crows, and seagulls! – Reinhard