Sometimes you come across a professional who is more like Jesus than most Christians because of the practical care he shows when you’re up against something truly awful. I had this experience with our general contractor, when there was a mass shooting at NIU, and I was shattered. It happened again this spring when my horse became ill.
These professionals tend to their clients, seeing us, not so much as a paycheck, but as a person worthy of their attention, worthy of careful advice. They will do what needs to be done. Tessie had not eaten her hay. She stood, head level, lower lip loose. I called Dr. Sugden, who wasn’t my vet. He said he’d be out at lunchtime, to make sure Tessie’s colon hadn’t shifted.
The next day, she spiked a high fever, our barn close with heat. Dr. Sugden said, “Bring her here. We’ll put her in air conditioning and pump her full of fluids.” This meant he would sleep two nights next to her stall.
Tessie could not be cured.
Dr. Sugden said, “You will regret your decision. It’s normal. But the people are important.” Something like a meadow with sunlight shining through thick air opened. I agreed to a long season of easy tears.
Dr. Sugden called later that week to check on me. And then called to explain Tessie’s necropsy. He searched me out like Jesus did when he crossed the lake, through a storm, to heal a shattered man. Like Dr. Sugden said, the people are important.
I’m Katie Andraski and that’s my perspective
