Heroes Hoping for Healing

Newsletter July 11, 2025 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

Another day, another medical test. Yesterday morning I was handed a hospital gown and loaded onto a gurney to go on what I like to think of as a $3,000,000 ride: a trip inside the CT machine to measure the calcium in my heart. Results won’t be ready for 3-5 business days. 

It was just another test in a long list of many. I know the drill. Arrive early because parking is usually a beast. Wait in line for my turn. Hand over my license and insurance. Pay the co-pay. Wait to be called. Change into a gown and load up on the gurney. Breathe in. Hold it. Release. Ask for the disc. Leave. 

Yesterday's test was really quite easy relative to the slew of other diagnostics and procedures I’ve had throughout the years.  Ever since my 16cm teratoma in 1989, I have learned that modesty is precious but not often guaranteed. I have learned that waiting for critical and urgent news often is the way of the system. I have learned that “In God we Trust” is not just a slogan on a dollar bill. It is a whole ethos of any of us who engage in the healthcare system. Science is amazing and doctors have made huge strides in helping people heal from difficult diagnoses throughout the years. Like my skin cancer diagnosis last year. In doctors do I trust as well! 

But then there's the great existential questions about lifespan and how we might take our last precious breath. And of course, the questions that I actually love exploring which revolve around how we want to live our lives right here, right now, while we have breath in or lungs. 

In 2008, Dr. Wendy Mogel wrote a book called, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, which taught parents that teaching kids resilience is an important step in their development. And that is true.

But also, for those of us with chronic illness — dayenu (enough already!). The tests and the calls, and the paperwork and the waiting is already a lot. The taking time from the natural rhythms of life and missing out on family events and engagements with friends due to recovery time isn’t fun. But then the fact that all of these things revolve around one's own mortality, well, that’s a heavy burden to hold. 

These processes feel like the modern version of the ancient world, when someone fell ill, they would be put outside the camp. And they’d have to wait. In isolation. And it was hard. 

That’s why any call or thought by someone else over my health means so much to me. And why any kindness of anyone acknowledging how had it is and allowing for a toggling of meetup date or raincheck for a get together is such a relief.

And that’s why, as a rabbi, I try to make sure everyone in my orbit knows that their health is a top concern of mine as well. That’s why those who fall ill and especially those with chronic illness are my heroes. They are enduring a lot on a regular basis, and still hoping for healing, if not healing of body then healing of spirit.

Bless the ones holding so much. Bless those who need the blessings of health, care, and flexibility. And bless the amazing group of Keeping It Sacred members who lift up their own and others’ names for healing every Thursday. If you are ever in need of a healing prayer from those around the world holding space for you, whether you can attend or not, please join our healing circle or send me your name. We will lift you up and hold you in our hearts. And if you can attend via zoom, even better! Please sign up on the website at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

Gathering to wish one another well and hold space for wellness is how we’re keeping it sacred. Together, we’re #keepingitsacred… 

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

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The above is an excerpt from a Keeping It Sacred newsletter. If you want to read the entire newsletter or any from our archives, please head over to: keepingitsacred.com/news 

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 Thanks for your interest, and thanks for #keepingitsacred...