Walking through these halls, you have absolutely no idea
Exactly what you will encounter after each corner you turn
You know, one split second will turn it all upside down
And in a blink of an eye, your perspective will never be the same
A different perspective
Over the last few years, many stories have been shared
Each chapter played out in unexpected, unscripted dramas
If you didn’t know any better, none of this would be true
Your experience tells you, that every second is all too real
A different perspective
Standing by the trauma bay, you watch it unfold, a story all too common
In a matter of seconds, the patient arrives, having been shot multiple times
Trauma Attendings on both sides and ED Doctors at the head
If they do the impossible, this patient might actually survive
Days later, the chaplain sits at bedside, as this miracle talks about his faith
A different perspective
Family called and requested prayer as their patriarch with covid, was to be intubated
After they talked and prayed together the chaplain held the patient’s hand through his sedation
The chaplain called family and shared the visit; with gratitude they cried “how did he look?”
That prayer was the last he ever heard and “amen” was the last word he ever said.
A different perspective
Making rounds on the units, to check on the staff with intentionality
On one side of the unit, the chaplain comforts a nurse through tears
After family expressed their emotions in unfortunate, belligerent ways
On the other side of the unit, a family embraces a nurse with gratitude
As they expressed their appreciation for taking care of one of their own
A different perspective
You’re paged to the MICU for a covid patient that is about to pass
Due to visitor restrictions, two family members watch from outside of the room
The chaplain stands beside them, providing a gentle touch and sacred silence
The nurse strokes his forehead and respiratory cradles his hand, as the last breath is taken
A different perspective
A driver, with full term pregnancy, arrived, after having been in a car collision
ED Team, Trauma Team, OB Team, and one chaplain; 46 people already there
This child had seconds to be delivered but mother requested prayer before entry
An understanding scalpel paused; a prayer was said and this precious one was finally free
A different perspective
When you walk around, you’ll measure this and quantify that
Take a moment to see what is happening around you
It’s always good to look at things from a different point of view
In a matter of seconds, your perspective may never be the same
A different perspective
(c) April, 2022
This Chaplain's Journey 