Today during our Hospice team meeting, we stopped at the 10 o’clock hour to honor the lives lost in Parkland, Florida just two weeks ago. Just two weeks… I re-lit our memorial candles to read the 17 names. After two or three names, I could not go on. So I passed the paper to a … More et lux perpetua…
The light poured in to the sanctuary through the stained glass. Here, at the very back, the pews have been removed so that there’s free space for children to color and play. But today the floor was open and the glorious colors played on the tiles. I thought of the old Woody Guthrie song… Every spot … More NaBloPoMo: Holy Ground
I took a break from a staff retreat today and headed down to the Potomac River. It’s been many months, but I knew that getting a chance to sit near the water would do my heart good. I was a long ways from the riverbank, when I could hear the rapids. I found a rock … More A Riverside Chat: Or How The Reverend Crankypants Got Her Groove Back
In the chaplain’s office, we have a small prayer corner. It’s something very simple… a bowl with small pebbles, a hand labyrinth, and some meditation pieces. One of the rocks has the word “Remember” on it. I got it at the Holocaust Museum, as a symbol of the people forever lost. But the stone … More Remember
I’m trying to get back in the habit of writing (and blogging) as a Lenten practice. I’ve slacked WAY off on my blogging. Partly it’s because I can’t always share what I’m learning since my job requires 100% confidentiality. (I mean, if I sat with you as your family member died, would you like me to go … More Writing for Lent: Let the Mudpies Begin!
This weekend I have been practicing something that I haven’t done in a long time. I practiced using the “OFF” button. This particular one is on the cell phone issued to me by my employer. Though I am not required to use it to field voicemails and answer emails, on previous weekends, I have “just … More The “OFF” button
I realized as I did a phone booth style transformation from chaplain (sweater, “Janie” clerical collar, skirt and heels) to tourist (traded jeans and sneaks for skirt and heels, took off “Janie”) that I’ve gotten good at transitions. Moving from room to room. Hearing good news and then drying tears, my work days are highly … More Transitions
