The lights dim. A hush comes over a breathless audience. Green linen curtains glide silently open. All is in place. Let the show begin. From deep in the stage Dame Angie finally appears. Dressed in a dark green top, black smart trousers, a dazzling white plastic gown, off-set with matching tight blue rubber gloves and a matching blue stage mask, her outfit is simply perfect. But no matter the perfection of the scene, nothing can prepare this audience for the deep richness of the voice.

“When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more
And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.”

I imagine there are some wondering where and how much tickets to this show time spectacular can be bought. Well, you will not believe this, but three times a week, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday – it is free.

You see, on these three days I attend a clinic at North Shore Hospital. Many will tell you the treatment I receive is unpleasant. But not at all. You see, Dame Angie really exists. She is actually Nurse Angie, from the Philippines. She has lived in New Zealand for many years expertly helping those with my condition.

I have no idea what the New Zealand heath service would do without the army of Filipino and Indian nurses who expertly attend to our sick and infirm. They do amazing work.    

But in Nurse Angie’s case her singing almost beats the treatment. I do believe she knows every old-fashioned gospel hymn ever written

The Old Rugged Cross

Nearer My God To Thee

Onward Christian Soldiers

Abide With Me

Shall We Gather At The River

Washed In The Blood Of The Lamb

The list goes on and on. My treatment takes four and a half hours but with Nurse Angie’s help it passes in a flash. The Americans say they have the best health care system in the world. But they have to pay for their treatment, and I bet nowhere in that vast country can they provide entertainment like that available for free at North Shore Hospital.

So, a special thank you to the New Zealand Government. Thank you to North Shore Hospital and thank you to Nurse Angie for keeping me alive and making it fun as well.