[The following reflection was written by Liz Wessel, M.S.N, (left) Director of Mission for St. Joseph Health Services in Orange, California]
I offer these reflections to open a window into my soul, where
I can share my heart with you. I find the fabric of this world less real than what
is invisible to the eye. When I look through the lens of the material world, my
focus is on getting my basic needs met through self-reliance. I try to avoid
any mishap that might befall me. I see that my cell phone is charged, I have
gas in my car, money for incidentals, that I am dressed for the weather, etc.
My aim is to avoid discomfort and foster self-preservation. Yet, when I look
through the lens of the spirit, I behold a Love that manifests and extends
abundantly through sharing all that we are and all that we have with others. The
only truth I know is Love. Why then, is it so difficult to Love?
I have learned that a deep fear underlies and influences how
I live my life, the fear that I cannot escape death. Although fearful I am
fascinated too by the great mystery and meaning of both life and death. I
realize that someday, I too will lose all that I cherish in this life. I guess
we all must come to terms with our own eventual death. One common way to cope
is to pretend that death does not exist. People often avoid talking about death
for fear that the mere mention might hasten the onset. I’ve noticed how this underlying
fear can lead to a resistance of living our life’s full potential.
Resistance is an invisible but powerful force. Life is
change and sometimes we resist the changing seasons of our lives. I share this
quote from an anonymous author. “When the door of happiness is closed, another
opens; but many of us continue to look at the closed door. As a result we often
fail to see the new door with its new opportunities.” Change is difficult but a necessary condition
in life. I have heard it said that we die a thousand little deaths each day.
Perhaps we can learn to use these experiences to prepare and teach us how to
stop resisting and surrender to the natural flow and rhythms of life and death.
In my nursing career, I have accompanied many a person throughout
the process of dying. You might say I’ve been a mid-wife of sorts, helping birth
a person through a sacred portal into eternal Love. I was 21, when I had my
first encounter helping a person who had incurable cancer. Margie was a close
family friend who was only 42 when she died of cancer at home. I was able to be
there for her because the power of Love proved stronger than all my fears. Sure,
I was scared but I believed it was important to be there for a person when they
needed someone the most. My mom taught me this life lesson at the tender age of
10 when I was critically ill with spinal meningitis. She remained by my side
and it was her Loving presence that helped me to survive. Throughout life, I’ve
tried to respond to the call to help people in their time of dying. Love’s shares
her wisdom in communion with others.
“Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom,
and she is readily perceived
by those who love her, and found by
those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known
in anticipation of men’s desire;
he who watches for her at dawn
shall not be disappointed, for he shall
find her sitting by his gate.
For taking thought of her is the
perfection of prudence, and he who
for her sake keeps vigil shall
quickly be free from care;
Because she makes her own rounds, seeking
those worthy of her, and
graciously appears to them in the
ways, and meets them in solicitude.”
~Wisdom 6:12-16
My brother John Sorensen died on Nov.1, 2008 on All Saints
Day. Sometimes sharing conversation helps our family sift through the emotions
of loss and the feelings of unreality. Some have asked me, how could God cause
such pain and suffering? I can only tell you that God is Love and Love does not
inflict pain or suffering. We may not be able to control what happens to us but
we do have a choice about how we respond and John responded with great courage
and a grateful heart. To those who ask where was God in all of this. I say, God
was there to ease suffering through our family who poured out extraordinary Love.
God’s voice was strong in the friends and relatives who visited and reminisced
about meaningful experiences. God’s hands provided healing through those who
sat and held John’s hand. God’s Love was visible as a constant quiet presence
that offered comfort and light in the darkest of nights.
Journal of Sacred Work 
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