Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

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Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

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Open Forum

August 31, 2007

Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that
needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing.
A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free. -Star Hawk

In yesterday’s Journal, Liz Wessel offered a lovely observation about community from someone named Star Hawk. The Journal subject was about ways in which we feel welcomed (or not.) Dr. Thomas Knowles-Bagwell evoked the ancient idea of hospitality in another excellent comment.
I think I have felt most welcome coming into my childhood home and into the enveloping arms of loving family. What about you? When have you felt most welcomed in your life and why do you think this was? Click on Comment, below, to share your thoughts…

Posted in Meditations

5 responses to “Open Forum”

Tom Knowles-Bagwell

August 31, 2007

I kept searching and searching my memories, but nothing there surpasses the very first place that poped into my mind (instantly). That place is the home of my maternal grandparents. Even though I was one of thirteen grandchildren, there was never a time when I felt unwelcome, unwanted, uncherished, or unloved in their home or in their presence. They were neither wealthy, nor powerful, nor highly educated people (my grandmother graduated from high school, but my grandfather dropped out of school in the sixth grade). But I think they knew the most important thing there is to know. They knew how to love. I still carry with me (in the marrow of my bones) the evidence of their loving care.
One of the things I enjoyed most about my grandparents was listening to the stories of their lives. By doing this, I feel they welcomed me not only into their home, but into their hearts and lives. They shared with me not only their food, but themselves. Yes, it’s difficult to think of a place where I felt more welcomed than the home and lives of those two dear people.

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liz Wessel

August 31, 2007

I was fortunate to grow up as a member of the Sorensen family, the fifth child in a clan of six. Our home was welcoming to our many friends and although we did not have material wealth there was always plenty of food and good times to be shared. My father (an only child) was happiest when he was surrounded by friends and family so our home was often a social gathering place.
I experienced that same welcome when I met the Wessel family and felt as though I had come home. I’ve tried to create that same kind of welcome in our home for our son’s friends and all who visit.
I have a few friends that I experience that same welcoming warmth when I am in their presence. I may not even see them for a long time but when we get together it is as though no time has elapsed. This is how I wish to be for others and offer a safe welcoming sense of home.

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Karen York

August 31, 2007

A couple of places come to mind. Of course, my childhood home was a wonderful place and my parents were always welcoming to me. But I felt especially warm embraces when I returned home from college for Christmas or summer break.
The second place is here at my work right now. Whenever I visit any of our locations, the staff are open and warm and make me feel at home. Or when I return from a trip or long vacation, I am greeted with many “Welcome back, I really missed you.” What a nice thing to work in a place that misses you when you’re gone.

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Edwin Loftin

August 31, 2007

Very Interesting. I too have the most “loving” memories for the times visiting my paternal grandmother who lived next door or my maternal grandparents who were a state away or childhood family days. In all of these, complete comfort was experienced as all of you have described. From the memories ( and smell as I type this) of butter and sugar toast of Grandma Loftin or churning the butter and bailing the hay with Mema and Pepa or everyday with my parents each has that sense of completeness.
My question from all of this is what will be the moments of welcome that new generations ecperience? It will be different. Not right or wrong but different. How can we as conduits of loving beings help the next generation find the smell of sugar and butter toast?????

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golfmom87

September 3, 2007

Growing up and as an adult, I feel most welcomed every single time I go to my parents home. They are very loving and supportive of everything I have done in my life. When I have made decisions they didn’t agree with, they were always at my side as I worked my way back again. As I go through school to complete my graduate degree while working full time, my parents are my biggest supporters and do what they can to ease my burden. We live only a few blocks away from each other and each time I enter their home whether they expected me or not, they drop what they are doing to hug and kiss me and make me feel welcome. I feel like the luckiest daughter in the world.

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