Journal of Sacred Work

Days 87-88 Hope

The writer Nikki Barnes said it well when she wrote: “If you only carry one thing throughout your entire life, let it be hope.  Let it be hope that better things are always ahead.  Let it be hope that you can get through even the toughest times.  Let it be hope that you are stronger than any challenge that comes our way.  Let it be hope that you are exactly where you are meant to be right now, and that you are on the path to where you are meant to be.”​

 ​In times like this hope is the very thing that carries us through.

Hope is that positive expectation of an event that motivates all caregivers. Our loved ones will survive and get better; a warm feeling to cling to in Covid times.

All caregivers work toward perfect healing dimly seen but hoped for!
That undying hope reflects back to you and all you love!

Feed your hopes with everyday simple acts of love, creativity, and authenticity.

Hope springs eternal from every breath; from each day well-lived; and remains ready to seek the hungry, homeless, refugees, and those anyway afflicted and send sunshine and respite across our fading planet Earth! What kind act have you done today? What hope sustains your caregiving?

Reflection offered by Terry Chapman PhD

Painting of Florence Nightingale
Artist unknown

Memories of Work & Waves

[This updated post first appeared March, 2009 - Special thanks to the RMH Alum site for nurturing memories]

A man, yet by these tears a little boy again,
Throwing myself on the sand, confronting the waves,...
   -Walt Whitman (1819-1892) from "I Sing The Body Electric"

    I grew up, like some of our readers, near the Pacific, "throwing myself on the sand, confronting the waves" and now have the great chance to do the same, once again. This time it is by the Atlantic, where I encounter the waves with my tiny granddaughter and wonder what storms she will meet.
   Most caregivers live their careers between the coasts, confronting and healing the waves of pain that wash over others. Along the way, I wonder how many of us pause to reflect upon our memories of work?
   Each of us lives so much of our lives in our jobs rather than at home. When our work reaches its end or reaches, what will you remember? Will you recall the joys of working alongside friends? Which patients will stand out in your recollection?
   When I was a little boy playing by the ocean, I dreamed of one day doing important things. What I think of as important now is different from what I conjured in my boyhood imagination. As Whitman writes:

   From those beginning notes of yearning and love there in
      the mist,
   From the thousand responses of my heart never to cease,...
   From the word stronger and more delicious than any,
   From such as now they start the scene revisiting,..

   Behind closed eyes it was easy to revisit my first days as a hospital leader. I see the associate nursing director, Marian Hamm, greeting me in a hallway at Toledo's former Riverside Hospital in 1975.
   Now, in the blink of an eye, she retired, edged into illness & died at 82. What Marian and I discussed in her later years was not the daily census or staff morale. Instead, we reminisced  about characters who amazed us; about battles with doctors; about disputes and scandals; how we handled several emergencies, and, best, what made us laugh.
   Most of all, we revel in the fact that we took our power and used it to influence the lives of others for the better through cultures of loving care. I am so grateful we made that choice and changed the lives of thousands. 
   One day, if you are lucky, you will have the time to reflect on your confrontations with the waves that informed your work. 
   Meanwhile, as Whitman wrote,

   I, chanter of pains and joys, uniter of here and hereafter,... A reminiscence sing.

   What specifics will you remember most about your work life?

-Erie Chapman

Photo by Erie

Days 78-79 The Swallows Return

Every year the swallows return to the San Juan Capistrano Mission in S. CA, on or about March 19th-St.Joseph Day. So happy are they to be greeted with the lush greening of springtime, signaling hope, renewal and a warm welcome. For centuries the Mission priests noticed the swallows return and celebrated their homecoming. Over time the magic of this event expanded out to people far and wide cultivating a spirit of joy and festivity.

There is a wonderful story written by Father John O’Sullivan who was the priest at the San Juan Capistrano Mission for over 20 years in the early 1900’s. 

“One day, while walking through town, Fr. Sullivan saw a shopkeeper, broomstick in hand, knocking down the conically shaped mud nests that were under the eaves of his shop. The birds were darting back and forth through the air squealing over the destruction of their homes.

“What in the world are you doing?” Father Sullivan asked.

Why these dirty birds are a nuisance, and I am getting rid of them!” the shopkeeper responded.

“But where can they go?”

I don’t know and I don’t care,” he replied, slashing away with his pole. “But they’ve no business here, destroying my property. “

Father Sullivan then said, “Come on swallows, I’ll give you shelter. Come to the Mission. There’s room enough for all.”

Story retrieved from the San Juan Capistrano website: https://www.missionsjc.com/st-josephs-day-and-return-of-the-swallows-celebration/

A form of prayer that I just learned about during this Lenten season is called Lectio Divina in which you read a passage a few times and reflect upon it. Then you actually imagine your self-entering the story to experience it… as you open to what God might be whispering to you. I think this is a great story to reflect upon in this way…

There are four parts:

Lectio or reading: Begin by settling in to your prayer space and let go of distractions. Read the text slowly and listen for a word or phrase that calls to you. Hold it gently and repeat it a few times.

Meditatio or reflecting: Repeat the word or phrase again and listen for what images, memories are stirring and welcome them in to your heart. Create space around the word to allow it to flower, images or feelings that arise.

Oratio or responding: As you listen for what has been stirring within you, let the prayer arise spontaneously. What do you offer, ask, say to God holding the sacred word.

Contemplatio or resting: Rest in the still presence of God, simply be, rather than do…A time to offer gratitude for God’s presence in this time of prayer.

This story seems particularly relevant in our world today and surely worth reflecting upon.

Coincidentally, our family is going to San Juan Capistrano for brunch tomorrow at a place across from the mission, which we plan to visit. We made reservations without remembering the significance of the day. We shall join in the festivities.

“Peace, my peace be with you” and may peace come swiftly on the wings of swallows to the people of Ukraine and for all those who suffer.

With love and a prayer in my heart,
Liz Sorensen Wessel

The Less Romantic Body

   The body is a mystery to children. They fill in blanks with guesses, turn to adults for answers & often do not get any.

   My little kid notions of the body were romantic.  As a young man I knew what I wanted from my body: To be athletic, smart, a leader & able to appeal to the other sex.

   By college, I knew how my male body worked & little about my fascinating sexual counterparts. My body was prose. A woman's, to me, was poetry.

   Most romantics dislike body-as-machine thinking.  But at nineteen, my body literally turned against me. My doctor predicted that my auto-immune disease would destroy my body by forty. 

   Now nearly twice that age I am grateful for excellent health & his error. 

   My artist's belief in the female figure as the source of beauty remains. But age plus forty years in healthcare has demystified my romantic notions about my physical self. As age steals life's length the eternal spiritual takes center stage & the path to that through art appeals.   

   David Whyte is America's best ambassador between earth & soul. I hate that so many people, especially professional caregivers, ignore his work's (& other's) ability to heal.   

   Ironically, sister-in- law, Karen Updike, one of America's finest poets, is married to a different breed of healer. Stuart Updike, M.D. invented the famous, life-saving, Dexcom system for diabetics but ignores poetry. There is little chance you know Karen's work because even the best poets play bit parts. 

   Karen's book, Off Riding (1989 Fireweed Press), was her first. If you have ventured out alone on horse, boat or hike & wished you could find words to describe your experience here are some, presented without those crucial but scary-to-many line breaks:  

   "Gladly I live in the presence of things undone, or how could I see these fields, yellow more and more, or these hills, indigo blue? I would miss storm clouds roiling like this tangle of mane beneath my hand, the bright spurt of speed as we race toward the elm. Red baneberry would languish unseen; I would never have considered the possibilities of green."

   Poetry presides at the marriage of mortality to heaven by baptizing the soul of the body romantic. (Click below for my reading of Off Riding's 1st poem.)

KAREN'S POETRY - Off Riding #1 - from Chip

-Erie Chapman  

Days 71-72 The Way of Love

In honor of International Women’s Day that is celebrated in March, I wish to introduce you to a marvelous woman, Martha Isabel Ruiz Corzo who is best known as Pati. As a teenager Pati played violin in the Queretaro’s City’s Chamber orchestra and settled into a successful career as a music teacher.  It was nearly 40 years ago when she and her family left the city and ventured off to embrace rural life in the mountains of Sierra Gorda.

Pati was soon disheartened to see that forests were depleted with trees getting cut down, fires were common and indiscriminate paths were popping up.  Rather than being moved to tears she was compelled to act. Soon she was engaging with her community and they started plant trees to bring back the forest and natural ecosystems. Today there are over 17,000 activists involved in these efforts. Pati also recognized the importance of educating children and with her accordion in arm she began touring the schools and singing with children while making learning fun. Today the are over 150 schools in the region whose teachers have integrated the eco program into the curriculum.

Pati’s journey was not without adversity and required great courage and perseverance as she confronted the mining and industry interests along with corrupt politicians and life-threatening risks. Through nearly four decades, her visionary leadership and ability to inspire others to get involved, led to the Sierra Gorda being turned into a national protected area and a UNESCO Biosphere with over 400,000 acres and 638 villages and protection of one third of the state of Queretaro. Pati was the recipient of the 2021 Gobal Citizen Award that honors individuals and organizations around the world who are taking action to shape a world that is fair, just, and equal.  

Martha Isabel Ruiz Corzo is one my newly discovered heroes and I wanted to share her story with you. If you have a few minutes, this video clip will give you a glimpse into the beautiful landscape and incredible transformation of Sierra Gorda as well as beautiful healing environments that have been created, including organic farming, and a deep respect and reverence for nature.

 

Martha shares her heart, “We believe in the way of love, persistence and the common good. I believe it is our chance to put together a miracle that may give us hope.”

Caregivers open their hearts, minds and spirits with vulnerability when companioning those who suffer, only to discover the reciprocal nature and transforming power of love. For as St. Francis reveals in prayer, it is in the giving, we receive and in healing, we are healed and in loving that miracles naturally unfold to bless one another.

Liz Sorensen Wessel

Alone - Days 66-70

   "We are alone," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said back on February 25th. Two weeks later over 2000 Ukrainians who were alive are dead. Countless others will join them.

   Millions are experiencing another kind of loneliness. Imagine yourself a single, 75 year old woman dragging your roller bag across rough terrain around a wrecked bridge. No family. No money. No food. Your enemy's presence felt with bombs that destroy your home & kill your sister.  

   Surrounded by thousands also fleeing, you may feel alone. You may also feel lonely. 

   The power responsible for your isolation & the massive suffering surrounding you is a single man, Vladimir Putin. He alone can stop the war he started.

   Who can halt this Goliath? The most unlikely of "David's"(a stand-up comic two and half years ago) has emerged from world anonymity. With Churchillian eloquence & an electrifying presence, Mr. Zelensky has not only eased his country's isolation but has rallied the entire world to his cause. 

   What could this have to do with caregiving? Everything.

   Sometimes we prefer to be alone. "Left alone" names a condition we dread.    

   Loneliness longs for healing. It is a a common symptom of illness. Agony, acute or chronic, casts sufferers into darkness. No one understands their pain.

   Caregivers hold Zelensky-like potential to counter the Goliath of pain. They can apply the bandage of their healing touch, the warmth of their smile, the relief provided by loving presence. 

   John Thompson M.D., a veteran doctor, found himself a patient for the first time. He was admitted to Nashville's Baptist Hospital when I was President.

   "How was your stay?" I asked him post discharge. 

   "Fine. Mostly because of a single caregiver." he said with a smile.

   "Which nurse?" I asked, withdrawing my pen.

   "Not a nurse, a housekeeper," he answered. "It was her presence. Every time she appeared I felt better...less lonely. I never would have guessed she would be my best caregiver."

-Erie Chapman

   

Days 640-65 Prayers for Peace

Amidst all the devstation, tragedy, suffering, escalating violence, and perilous situation in Ukraine and globally, I believe our prayers are making a difference. Beyond all odds, Ukraine has been able to put up a fierce resisitance. President Zelensky has survived four assassination attempts, the nuclear power plant under attack did not release any radiation, and all those Russian tanks ran out of fuel and have not been able to advance.  

May Ukraine's pleas for help be heard and ariive expediently.

Last night I participateded a prayer service offered by the Sister's of St. Joseph of Orange and this beautiful artistic rendition of The St. Francis Prayer was shared.

As the nightmare continues to unfold in Ukraine may our prayers overflow in abundance. Let us surround all of our brothers and sisters with loving thoughts, light and peace...may this insanity end along with the madness.

Lady of Ukraine please offer protection for the people of Ukraine and for all who suffer in the face of needless violence. May peace be restored, may peace rain down from the heavens...

May we pray unceasingly... may the darkness in our hearts turn towards light.

“Prayer is the medium of miracles. It is a means of communication of the created with the Creator. Through prayer love is received, and through miracles love is expressed.”
― Foundation for Inner Peace, A Course in Miracles

May the God of our understanding hear our prayers. Amen

 

Offered by Liz Sorensen Wessel