Gesundheit

Ok – have you seen them – how to sneeze and cough into your arm pictures in the bathroom?  No the picture isn't it - that's my favorite of the seven dwarfs - Sneezy

According to internet searches when someone sneezes and someone says “God bless you”

It all began during the bubonic plague.  Pope Gregory called for ceaseless prayers, songs, chants  and processions for everything, everyone, at all times.  Sneezing was an early symptom that someone was about to get the plague so when they sneezed they were immediately blessed ("God bless you!") in the hope that they would not subsequently develop the plague.  (and that those sneezed upon would not get it either now that the germs were airborne) All that prayer apparently worked, judging by how quickly the plague diminished.

I was always told that people said it because your heart stopped when you sneezed.  Apparently that is not true – oops my bad – I’ve told lots of people that useless, false tidbit of trivia – Although I have also told people that you can sneeze over 100 mph that from what I’ve seen is true.

Another explanation of the term and sneezing is that when you sneeze everything spirit wise comes out so it is important to get at least all the good stuph back in so… “God bless you”

But why else ask God to bless someone? Why not?  Are we all not in need of a Savior, help, protection, direction, life and breath.  Why not ask the One who is the giver of all good gifts to help, come to, give gracious to, lavish some more on (more than He already has...)   More than manners, courtesy, or because it is common to say - why not do more than wish but as a prayer, concern, and love for people, Though not a big fan of the phrase “bless” (but I have no better phrase to offer – and good health or cheers sounds more like a toast) why not ask God to give more time for all people everywhere to know Him and share His plan and love with others, to help them be better, be holy, enjoy more from God and Life