My grandmother went on a trip to Lourdes France many years ago when I was in Junior High. She had polio and other respiratory issues that should have prevented her from ever making the pilgrimage. She was dealt a bad hand contracting polio after having my Mom. She got a bad deal in life, but persevered in all aspects of it.

I have always kept this bottle of Holy Water she brought back close to me. While not overtly religious in a worship sort of way this stuff holds magical powers (for believers, they say). Some say it has magical healing powers and it's from the actual spring in Lourdes. She brought back gallons of the stuff and doled it out to friends and family. I figure it can't hurt having it around and dash a little on myself upon knowing of trying times or a long journey…

Seeing that the Virgin Mary herself appeared in 1858 and gave visions to a young peasant girl then directed her to the Grotto which is now world famous leads me to take a active role believing in it's ability of healing. Today, going to see a hand surgeon for my recent injury I "blessed myself" with some of this holy water. I should have drank it instead. They had to debride my wound and let me tell you- it was the worst time of my life. If I ever have to go through that experience again, I'll drink holy water shots, get a leprechaun to give me luck and go find a unicorn and extract it's tears from this magical beast to keep me safe- and take a stick to bite down on to muffle the screaming…

Today, was awful but i think I tuned the corner on getting this hand to begin it's healing process.