from O.E. "hal"

I've long been fascinated by similarities among the words heal, hale, health, whole, and holy.  The are similar for a reason: All can be traced to the Old English word hal.  The medieval meanings of hal are various: free from infirmity; uninjured; being whole, sound, and well.  The common ground is a state of being marked by perfect wholeness.  Note that there is a presence and an absence.  Absent is dysfunction and disease.  Clear enough, but it's important not to miss the presence.  Any person or thing with hal has nothing missing—it is full, complete, and in a state of perfect health.  Etymology is fantastically illuminating especially concerning the word holy.  What image is conjured when we think of a holy person?  We probably imagine someone who seeks to be free of sin—pure, though perhaps not very interesting.  Holiness implies a lack of sin, yes, but it is so much more.  True holiness, I believe, indicates a fullness of being, vitality, and strength.  We are never meant to be shriveled and pale critters—not like Gollum's "good twin."  The holiest person is the most complete human being imaginable—full of life and love, as well as a love of life.  The model has been perfected only once in history.  For all others, the measure of each person's potential lies in how far their development extends into that perfect ideal.  It's a beautiful image and someday it will be reality.  In the meantime, dear readers, my sincerest wish is this—that you will all go to hal . . . I mean, toward hal.