The Wounded Angel
This painting of The Wounded Angel by the Finnish artist Hugo Simberg (1903), has always touched me.
Though I’ve neither studied it carefully nor engaged my mind to understand the symbolism, and though Simberg left his meaning ambiguous, over the years this image has imprinted itself on the lining of my soul. Its mystery raises questions.
A short time ago, the painting came back to me in the imaginal way of mediality. I have recently suffered a stroke, which caused left side paralysis and sent me to a rehabilitation hospital for over a month. There the days were filled with various therapies that were quite exhausting, but the nights were long and lonely.
Though I lay in a state-of-the-art bed designed for neurological patients, I was unable to get comfortable with all the braces strapped to my body and the many adjustments of the bed that no one seemed able to figure out. In those long, dark hours, I found myself experiencing Wounded Angel image, but this time it was in reverse. I, an ordinary human, was the wounded one, being carried forth by angels.
The experience expanded in my mind. I imagined that the bed was made of the feathers of prayers, for increasingly I dropped into the prayers of healing that were all around me. I was also physically tended day and night by skilled people from around the world, including the man from Viet Nam who came each night to empty the garbage and pause for a visit: angels in scrubs. Also, there came the loved ones who, having departed this realm long ago, dropped back in for a visit. I could see nurse-mother right there gently tending me, and I gained new appreciation for her compassionate skills. And then, of course, the angels themselves were all around. I opened myself to their presence.
This stroke (of unknown origins) came while I was still under anesthesia in the recovery room after back surgery, so I wasn’t aware that it was happening. I wasn’t aware of much that happened for the first week. Maybe I was flirting with death, though if one has a stroke, Stanford Hospital is the best place to be. I have come to believe that my wounded brain was experiencing the thinness between this world and the realm beyond.
I do know that the gentle feathers of prayer that upheld me, the arms of very ordinary people who tended me, and the presence of ancestors and angels who visited, all enabled me finally to rest in the darkness and allow the suffering just to be.
The wounded angel in Simberg’s painting is carrying white flowers, which are probably snow drops, the first blooms of spring, which symbolize hope, resilience rebirth, and new beginnings. Though life now is different and slower, I trust that there will indeed be new beginnings, certainly leading me on a different path than I’ve known and have yet to discover.
And yet I am still me. My soul is intact and open to the adventure.
Bobbi, you are yourself an angel who has given light and hope to many.
With love
Privileged to be your friend
Norman
Beautiful. I have just today addressed a card to you. So grateful for our friendship. 🤟
Dear Bobbie,
Tears of gratitude here, for extraordinary you, for your love-filled message, and for being the angel who has shined light at a thin place, allowing us to see a glimpse of heaven. God is so good. You are certainly still here.
Love you,
Claudia
Bobbie, Thank you for your insightful and inspiring reflection this morning. The tenderness you gift us through your imaginal words alongside this painting (which is new to me) through your recovery is precious. May the gentle feathers of prayer continue to hold you.
Dear Bobbie,
I feel so blessed to know you and be known by you. You are an angel in a very human body. I celebrate your ongoing recovery. This post is a milestone of recovery for you.
May you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. One of the blessings I am celebrating is that you are healing.
Much love ❤️
Mary
Dear Bobbie,
You are a dear soul. I’m so glad you are healing and doing well!
I lift up prayers of Thanksgiving for the miraculous angel that you are!
Yes, you are indeed you! Thank the Lord!
All my love,
Louise
Dear Bobbie,
I’m so glad Jolynda sent this to me! Beautiful that God uses your suffering and healing to inspire others—and so glad you are still precious you!
Love and deep blessings
Dear Rev.Bobbie,
Thank you for sharing . You are an inspiration. I hope that you and your family a blessed Christmas.
Peace and grace,
Warren
Dear Rev. Bobbie,
Thank you for your reflections on your situation. I can imagine you being that “Wounded Angel” because you are an angel that has been wounded, but you are still that positive person who will overcome this and fly again. Thank you for all you and Rev. Dick have done for Wesley and our family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you heal and rest. God will give you the strength and spirit to get through this. Thank you for being our friend and angel.
Love, Gene