November 22, 2005
Neighbors
In a previous carnation at a time when we had more need of one, we lived next door to our pediatrician. When the flu season would arrive each year, she’d come over and vaccinate us all around during happy hour. She preferred to give half doses a week apart, found that less troublesome for the recipient and just as effective. She didn’t believe in the germ theory, so she’d use the same hypodermic for the both of us, half to one, half to the other. We never caught the flu.
We trusted her emphatically, not only because she taught student doc wannabes across the way at the giant medical center, but largely because she kept a copy of Dr Spock in her glove compartment. Common sources, you know, reassure a certain kind of collegiality.
It’s still a good idea. Those of us who claim the same Holy Scripture as more or less our “normative tradition,” might well take note and keep a copy in our glove compartments. Maybe one day even, we might supply the hotel chains with a copy of the Book of Common Prayer.
[Visit Episcopal Relief and Development at http://www.er-d.org/ to make a donation to catastrophe relief or Episcopal Migration Ministries at emm@episcopalchurch.org to volunteer to assist displaced people with housing.]