The Mystic

Banff
My parents are going to consult a mystic about my aunt’s stomach cancer.  Aunt Lila* is in post-op recovery after having a section of her stomach removed.  The next stage of her treatment is to undergo a rigorous chemo session.  Even knowing this, that she has a fighting chance post-chemo, Aunt Lila continues to weigh the pros and cons of it, to the consternation of her daughter and the rest of the family.  This hesitation gives us all pause.

My parents are going to visit Aunt Lila in March.  I think they’d like to bring her hope.  I can understand the need to have good news to bring to her, if any news at all.  Every ounce of hope they can filter into the space where a third of her stomach used to be, whether she swallows it or not.  And although they don’t say it, I think they’d like to sneak some for themselves.

They say thousands of people journey from afar to see the Mystic and that hundreds gather around his temple on the weekends, praying and chanting in his general vicinity.  They say that these hundreds - comprised of people of all races, creeds, kinds - are drawn to him, flies to honey and that he offers answers and predictions around the future.  But what they are really saying is that he gives them some semblance of hope and tranquility when everything seems to be falling to pieces.

The skeptic in me is mildly alarmed at the five hour drive they’ll have to make to see the mystic.  The skeptic in me is also doubtful that it will do any good and refuses to ask more about it, uninterested in the details, as though to discourage their seemingly misplaced need for appeasement from someone who they don’t know, who doesn’t know my aunt, who has no medical training or background.  I have to bite my tongue to keep from goading them.  Oh yeah, well why don’t you consult her horoscope as well?!  They most likely think I’m angry, which they would be right about.  But angry at the cancer and not at the Mystic and also not at my parents.  So I keep quiet.

I realize, as real or unreal as it all is and will be, it’s the motions that we all go through, to know that we have done everything in our power to ensure the well-being of those that we love.  It is not my place to decide whether or not making this pilgrimage is a waste of time and or a productive use of energy and effort (and a weekend).  Perhaps it’s not so much that my parents will be told good news or bad but that whatever they’re told won’t come true.  And that they’ll lose faith in their decision-making ability and the tenacity that has gotten them so far as immigrants from a foreign country who arrived stumbling through a non-native language and unfamiliar culture and landscape.  I am afraid that they’ll lose hope.

But they won’t.  It could be that they’ve never bought into any of this to begin with and honestly, I can’t tell.  There will be other things in life that will disappoint them and there are things that will leave them pleasantly pleased and surprised.  As they grow older, I feel the need to protect them and shield them from life’s disappointments, when not long ago it used to be the other way around.

And regardless of what divination they actually receive, they’ll tell my aunt it was good.  And I hope she’ll hope.


*None of these are real names


Comments

  1. very philosophical. I sometimes wish I had that kind of faith. not in the traditional way. but, you know, the ability to really believe in something and to get the kind of hope you describe in return. and the older I get, the more I want this, hence the various trips into Buddhism, meditation, yoga and spirituality [I will always avoid institutionalized religions and old, bearded men sitting on clouds]. I get your parents. the cynic in me rolls her eyes. I'd be skeptical as hell and would need to bite my tongue non-stop to not say anything, but somehow I do get it. the fact that they're not my parents helps too, undoubtedly. so yes, I hope they find hope. I hope we all find it xoxo

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  2. Well, I pretty much agree with Petra word for word. I totally get your urge to roll your eyes and sarcastically mutter "Oh Lord," under your breath. And just as much as that, I get their urge to do and do this thing. It feels like hope, Petra's right. And it feels like doing something. Anything. Taking some small measure of control. And yes. It feels like hope.

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  3. I'm really sorry to hear about your aunt, Rooth. Thoughts and prayers for your family. As for what your parents are doing, I say the best thing to do (IMO) is just to support them in this time of need. If what they're doing brings them hope, and hope to your aunt, then who are we to say whether it's wrong or right?
    XOXO

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  4. "Hope springs eternal" because we need it to be. It's free, which seems too good to be true, so we pay to light a candle or support a church. I actually do believe in prayer, so I'll pray for your aunt and your parents and (what the heck) you too!

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  5. i love reading posts like this. i may be interpreting in my own way but it feels very "feet in two worlds" for me which is how my life is -- some traditional beliefs and ways of life mixed in with non. sending good thoughts to your aunt and family. xx

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  6. I'm so sorry to hear that! My parents grew up in Taiwan, and they're a bit superstitious about these things too (we absolutely had to pick an auspicious wedding date). I hope a good prediction will boost your aunt's spirits

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  7. I totally get where your parents are coming from AND your feelings about it. I have been to a witch doctor myself with the thought that it can't hurt so I'll try everything but take it all with a grain of salt. Hopefully your aunt will see that she can visit the mystic and also work with doctors to do what it takes to get her better.

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  8. Hope. It's an incredibly powerful emotion. As an atheist and straight-down-the-middle skeptic I get where your frustration comes from. I also second Petra's comment to say that sometimes, just sometimes, I wish I could have that unwavering faith. With that kind of faith, couldn't you believe that anything is possible? It certainly gets the mind churning! But alas, I am too scientific, practical, fickle to put that much faith in the unknown. Thoughts are with you and yours. xx

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  9. I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt - sometimes mystics can do amazing things! Probably sounds silly to say but I watched something about it on TV.

    Also if your aunt has the strength, she should try and get to India. There's a lady called Amma there who hugs people and the hugs are.. for lack of better word... magical. Research it a bit. I know that she travels too so maybe see if she's coming anywhere close to you.
    These woman hugged someone and managed to get her fertility levels up and fall pregnant after years of thinking she was baron. Just from a hug. No kidding - there's loads of similar stories.
    I hope that this helps.

    Wishing her all of the best - and I'd love to keep in touch x

    http://mystery-girl007.blogspot.com/

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  10. I have never consulted a mystic and I am also a skeptic when it comes to things like that but on the other hand I think it cannot hurt. If it gives your parents hope and if they can pass on the hope to your aunt then it will be worth it. I hope your aunt will get better! I am sending you lots of love! <3

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  11. I understand both sides to this. I tend to agree with your view, but if it gives them the hope they need then its worth the 5 hour drive. Sending good vibes and hoping for the best in this tough situation. Xoxo

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  12. I tend to see these things a little more skeptically like you but, then again, sometimes anything that gives you hope is worth it. Sending lots of love to you and the family. <3

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  13. i'm fascinated with the idea of a mystic or oracle or sight-seer, but then i have my reservations too. what if what they foresee is not what people want to hear? despite that i know that everyone has their own "coping mechanism" and what's important is that you support each other so kuddos, to you for going along even if you don't necessarily agree with your parents. i hope they find that hope they search and above all, i hope your aunt will be ok. xo

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  14. I know a lot pf people who are into this kind of thing. I've always found that physics give details of the past things that have happened, as if to justify they can know all about you but not about what will happen In the future. People get a lot of comfort from them though, which is no bad thing xx

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  15. i agree with petra too. there are times i wish i could blindly (<---- the skeptic in me) put my faith in something. at times of bleak realities and difficult times it sounds immensely comforting to believe in something greater-than because, unfortunately, freewill, just doesn't have the power we wish it did sometimes. whether one believes in God, or mystics, or psychics or watching copious amounts of tv or holding close to the facts to get through such troubling times is completely valid and valuable if it helps you get through. i will certainly put in a word with the "universe" for you all. xo

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  16. Wow, fascinating. I wonder what the Mystic had to say. I'm always curious about these things. I do understand though that when people feel completely helpless, they'll cling to any form of hope. I hope your aunt has a speedy recovery!

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  17. Your last line is the most important for these situations. Having hope. Your parents are lovely for taking her to this mystic, just for that.

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  18. My prayers for your Aunt. Hope us indeed very powerful. There are times we just do what we have to do and if it helps knowing we have done everything we could, ..I myself have visited a faith healer for infertility once and I don't know if it was coincidence but it bore fruit 8 months later.

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  19. The little story of the Mystic is meaningful. And I can relate it somewhere,
    losing hope is the last thing you do. I'm reading that your parents doesn't
    know your aunt very well but still go 4-5 hours to visit her! Really lovely!
    My thoughts goes to your aunt as well Xx

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  20. I love that hope is buoyant. It may go under for a spell, but it rarely stays down for good.

    Praying for hope and peace for you all! xoxo

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