Blessed Affliction is the story of Eric Nelson, a hospital chaplain who contracted Covid-19 and nearly died. He spent two weeks in the hospital, and 8 days in the Intensive Care Unit, during Holy Week of 2020. He became ill early in the pandemic, before much was known about the disease and how to treat it, and so early that he had never ministered to a Covid patient himself.
Chaplain Eric thought he knew about the spiritual aspects of illness, since he had been a hospital chaplain for five years. But he discovered much about how illness affects faith, and how the love and caring of family, friends and colleagues impacts healing.
You will see Chaplain Eric’s story partly through the eyes of his wife Mary. She wrote detailed journal entries about her experience of his illness. Mary also captures many of the medical aspects of Covid-19.
You will also see Covid-19 through the eyes Chaplain Eric when he returns to the hospital where he works and interacts with those who cared for him—an experience that was not without difficulty.
Many angels attended Chaplain Eric on his long journey back to health. You will meet these agents of grace in his memoir.
A pre-publication version is available for $17 + shipping. You may order a copy by emailing the author at ericn1@mac.com.
Blessings and peace,
Eric Nelson