The Flu

I love non fiction. I always have and always will. There's something about reading about real people in real circumstances that enriches me. Now, if the topic of a non fiction happens to be medical in nature, then it's all the better.

A few years ago, while browsing a library shelf I came across, "Flu: The Story of the Great American Pandemic," by Gina Kolata. My poor family was neglected as I delved into the intriguing book for a few nights. I enjoyed not only learning about the pathology of the disease, but accounts of individuals, families and communities that were affected. Yes, it was sad. It was disturbing in some ways. It was a stark reminder that our lives are but a breath. I've been revisiting some of those accounts recently at this website. Here you can read or hear testimonies of those who survived the flu and those who did not through their family members.

Of course, the recent occurrence of the swine flu around the world has brought this book back into my mind. I remember some of the "predictions" Kolata made in the book about a world wide pandemic revisiting the human race. If that is the case, I'm curious to see how a world interconnected through media as well as equipped with medical science will be able to respond.

As a Christian, should this particular flu pose such a threat, I will certainly do all possible to protect my family. It's likely that I would be called to serve our community as a nurse. It would be an amazing time to serve. But, ours is not a position of fear or overconfidence in science. God is not only our Maker, but our Sustainer. He is the Author of all of our days.

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.