What an amazing day in Lourdes! You can't help but be awe struck by the amount of pilgrims that are sick and there to be bathe in hopes of a cure. Many miracles have been documented following the bath. Brought many tears to my eyes, thinking of my mom and all we have gone through the last two months, it being around Mother's Day and being in Lourdes where our Blessed Virgin appeared. A bit overwhelming at times. Because I feel compelled.....I am going to describe my bath, hoping I do the experience justice in my description:
There is a snake of chairs that we continued to make our way through, sit, stand, sit, stand. All the while the rosary is being said, with all joining in. Then songs are sung and you can't help but think about the game of music chairs as you stand and move down the line to the next resting spot.
Then you make it in the door, or should I say curtained area one.....thinking yes....almost there. Wellllll sorta....another sitting spot. The praying continues. Above head are signs in many languages that describe how you should pray while in bath. Your reason(s) why you are there, so to speak.
Soon a maiden opens another curtain and ushers you in....very quietly. Natalie decided not to bathe but would watch me, so she came too. In the 12x12 curtained area is a dressing room, with 3 chairs on the wall to the right and 3 to the left and six maidens. OOOO yea and five other pilgrims....yep a bit of tight quarters. A maiden holds up a sheet if you will, to shield you while changing. When done you hang ALL of your belongings on the 2 hooks provided and she wraps you snug and you sit. At this point, Natalie was kicked out....hahahahha....funny indeed.
Soon, the third curtain opened and it was my turn. I entered, a stark small marble room, standing in front of two stairs that lead into the marble tub. Three maidens greeted me, all in their own language, me in mine.....Bonjour y'all! Not, really JK bout me....anyway....as I stood....they carefully as to not expose one inch of me, unwrapped the sheet while wrapping me in a ice cold wet white cloth. As to get me used to the temp of the water.
After which, was told to take one step down. Stood a minute in the ice cold bath, trying to adjust to the temp. Then step two. With a maiden on each side of me, I was lead forward to the statue of Mary, then was told to sit down. Wait....what....I'm thinking.....it's freezing and these two what me to do what....SIT???? Ok....so I sat....then I was directed to lay back....I did. A Baptism if you will, then it was up and out. They unwrapped me and I was directed to dress....no drying off. I sat to put my shoes and socks on....and made the mistake of taking my dry sock and wiping the bottom of my foot. I was told a sharp "NO"....leave the water on your body till dries.....ok....I did! Then I was escorted to the exit curtain. What an amazing experience....I prayed for this sick that was all around me....for my mom, my family, Tim, Rich, Jessica's baby to be, and many more.....may God Bless all of them, you and our world!
Need to head to the courts...pictures will be posted later. Natalie practiced yesterday, and will do so again today. No match today due to rainouts yesterday being moved to today. The good news....another free night hotel stay...woot. The bad news, she doesn't play until tomorrow, which will possible force some decisions tomorrow night as to Strasbourg tourney. We will see what develops. Love and Blessings....Sherry!
