In the summer of 2005, after an especially challenging and intense spring quarter I'd had to cope with as a university professor, I realized that something in my body was starting to go completely out of balance. The odd feeling of imbalance increased so much that I soon no longer felt confident riding my bicycle.

I proceeded with my daily affairs walking slowly, using public transportation, or the car. As a Christian Scientist I was used to praying about all health issues. However, at first I paid attention to this situation only in a casual way, not taking it as seriously in prayer as I should have. After some weeks had gone by, the condition worsened.

One day my husband and I decided to spend a nice sunny day in the beautiful gardens of Sanssouci, a castle in the city of Potsdam near Berlin. And there I had to rely on his arm and support throughout the walk, while asking him frequently for a break to sit down. I could barely move my head without feeling completely dizzy and out of control. Both of us tried to feel the presence of God.