I have said goodbye a lot of different ways millions of times in my life, but it is usually with the understanding that it is temporary, I will see them again, and we can pick up where we left off. In my view from the edge, I have learned not to take goodbyes so casually. One too many times, I have said goodbye to a … Continue reading Goodbye
I wrote this prayer for my hospice team as a way to re-center in the midst of the day-to-day challenge of working with people in their darkest times. This prayer is for all healthcare workers. My prayer is that you not just read it but trust its truths and allow it to bless you, as you are a blessing to so many. May you always … Continue reading My Prayer for Healthcare Workers
Death is a part of life – we are born, live our life, and then we die. For most of our lives we avoid death, as if ignoring it will make it go away. As a hospice chaplain, I encounter death and dying on a daily basis. Most people think what I do is depressing – because they don’t know. I get it. Working in … Continue reading End of Life Lessons for Living
My mom was a nurse. My sister, my daughter, and my niece followed in her footsteps. Two of my best friends are nurses, and I know and love countless other nurses. Personally, I never understood the allure. I was always uncomfortable with the sights, sounds, and most of all, the smells of hospitals, nursing homes, doctors’ offices – or encountering anyone who might be sick … Continue reading Rooted in Strength
My stepmom, Cha Cha, always ended her voicemail message with this: “Enjoy today, it is a gift to you.” I can still hear her voice saying those words, but now I hear them on a deeper level, as a simple but profound call toward learning to live in the moment. In my view from the edge, I find learning to live in the moment is … Continue reading Enjoy Today
Over my lifetime I have desired a lot of things – always feeling positive that the next thing would satisfy, and I would thirst no more. But that is not how life works, is it? The acquisition of anything only seems to whet our appetite for more. We always want more. I am sure there are a few things on your wish list that would … Continue reading Pursuing Peace
As a hospice chaplain grief is a common experience in my work. Here we are in the middle of the holiday season, the most joyful season of the year, and yet many people are struggling with grief. Grief is a natural response to loss, a deep sorrow that can manifest in us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Though there are some common expressions of grief, each … Continue reading When Grief Steals Christmas
Remember the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz? Dorothy is running away from home when she gets caught up in a tornado that literally picks her up, house and all, and sends her on a fanciful journey – far away from home. Ironically, throughout her journey, all she wants is to get back home. As I think about Dorothy clicking her heels and repeating “There’s … Continue reading No Place Like Home
One of the many things we are taught in orientation and training for my new position as hospice chaplain is to speak clearly about death. To call it like we see it – do not mince words or use euphemisms like, passed away, departed, gone, lost the battle… you get the idea. People tend to use these expressions when they are uncomfortable with what is … Continue reading No Words
I have heard it said that there are only two things that are unavoidable in this life: death and taxes. I question this because I am pretty sure there are people who do escape taxes in this life. Instead, I propose the two absolutes of life are suffering and death. Life is hard living in this fallen and broken world, and we will all suffer … Continue reading My Hospice Story
Goodenough in Christ 