“In the Hands”
Wednesday night, August 18, 2021
I sat in a chair in the hospital, looking down at the bed beside me. I was right where I should be.
My hand was linked to the hand of my friend, Dr. Wilford Tetz. In the quiet room, with his breath coming slow, I thought of his hands. He had delivered hundreds of babies, treated thousands of patients. His hands had helped and healed.
He had written 75Valentines cards to his beloved wife, Anne; he had swung his daughters and sons up onto his shoulders. His hands had shown his heart.
I rubbed his index finger gently and thought of Dr. Tetz as my mentor. His hands had held minutes for the College Heights Church Board and the Board of Trustees for Canadian Union College. His insightful observations pointed the way forward.
The room was hushed and darkened. I ran my thumb across his knuckles and thought of the day we had started to renovate the church, 24 years previously. Dr. Tetz, then 73, had been present—not to oversee the process, but rather to wield tools. His hands had been skillful and hardworking.
His eyes were closed, and I looked again at his hands–hands had held books as he eagerly discussed their contents with friends, his eyes sparkling with the delight of knowledge, humour, and hospitality.
I sat in silence, keeping a vigil with my friend, my mentor. With Dr. Tetz. I was right where I should be.
Thursday morning, August 19, 2021
I received a phone call a few hours after leaving the hospital. Dr. Tetz had just passed away. I felt a deep loss, but I knew he was right where he should be: safe in the hands of Jesus.
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Eric Rajah 