The Prayer Blanket

Posted on December 1, 2013 by TJ

Today was my and EJ’s anniversary. We have been married for 23 years. I am glad he is my husband and my very best friend.

To celebrate, we ordered food from our favorite local restaurant, and they delivered it to our door. Other than that, EJ caught up on some much-needed sleep and I took the time to pay bills. It’s a relief to get that task out of the way.

JJ was a member of the local Boy Scout troop for several years. This last Spring he became an Eagle Scout. An Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. Not many achieve this rank. In order to become an Eagle Scout, a boy must earn at least 21 merit badges and demonstrate Scout Spirit through the Boy Scout Oath and Law, service, and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages. JJ’s project was cleaning up and installing a new liner in a pond in a community park the village is developing.

When a Scout turns 18-years-old, he is no longer a member of the troop unless he becomes an adult leader. However, a couple of days ago, the Scoutmaster of JJ’s troop called to ask him if he would attend the Court of Honor at the local church tonight. A Court of Honor is a ceremony held twice a year in which Scouts are awarded the merit badges they have earned and advance in rank. After the Court of Honor in December there is usually a potluck.

After we had eaten, but without bringing JJ embarrassing attention, JJ was given a card that all the members of the troop had signed. He was also given a blanket that the ladies of the church had made. The Scoutmaster told us that the congregation had prayed over it before giving it to JJ. An accompanying card said:

Someone Cares

This Blanket was prayerfully made for you by the United Methodist Women’s Local Ministries Group, and has been blessed by our congregation. May it bring you comfort as you heal.

I thought it was very sweet, especially since we have only ever gone to this church for Scout meetings and events. JJ will take it with him to Chemo next week. It is very warm and has wolves all over it. We laughed that he is an Eagle Scout, has a Bear hat, and now a Wolf blanket. He seems to be collecting animals.

I thought the Scoutmaster was close to tears several times as he talked to us and JJ tonight.

Tomorrow we have to get up at 5 a.m. to make another two-hour trip to the sperm bank. Tuesday we have to get up early again to go to the hospital to have the port put in. JJ is extremely nervous about the port.

JJ said tonight that his armpits ached a bit. This concerns me that maybe his cancer has spread. We didn’t recognize the symptoms of cancer before. Now every ache is suspect. I will be glad when his treatment begins so we can’t start actively fighting it.