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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Days 46-47 – The Magic of Remembering

February 14, 2010

Sunday night, we took turns sharing memories of my father, handing our stories to each other around a circular dinner table.

"I remember riding on his shoulders when I was three," my younger sister said about our late father. "He was always so kind, building and repairing things around our house," my wife recalled. "I remember sitting on the curb in front of Schraft's Drug Store waiting for him to come home from work in the evening," my older sister said."I loved the times when he laughed so hard tears ran down his checks," I shared.

Each memory rose in the air like candlelight, warming the hearts of each of us.

Remembering is a special way of expressing God's Love and of living out our humanity. The Jewish faith has special rituals each year (called Shabbat) that involve remembering ancestors. We can all learn from this.

The failure to share loving remembrances of those we have loved degrades us as well the departed soul. When we are able to honor our predecessors – or anyone else who has left us – we affirm the humanity of each of us who still walk the earth.

This can be as true of caregivers who have left our workplace as it can be of those who have died. It's remarkable how we can share so many close experiences with fellow workers only to have those memories fade as soon as our colleagues retire, are laid off, or take jobs elsewhere.

May today be a time when we, as caregivers, recall those who are no longer in our midst. As we do this, we can live once again the best of times past. And we can live Love.

-Erie Chapman

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7 responses to “Days 46-47 – The Magic of Remembering”

~liz Wessel

February 15, 2010

Encircled in one another’s love, to share, remember, and to break bread; what a beautiful way to be together as family. We spend the majority of our waking hours with people at work. Through the sharing of our daily lives, challenges, successes, and failures we become as family. This is a beautiful reflection that I will share with my family and with caregivers as we remember. Thank you for this sacred gift.
We look towards each other no longer
From the old distance of our names;
Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,
As close to us as we are to ourselves.
Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,
We know our soul’s gaze is upon your face,
Smiling back at us from within everything
To which we bring our best refinement.
Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.
~John O’Donohue

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Karen York

February 15, 2010

Many of my colleagues have moved on to other places of work and several have passed into the next life. I remember all of them with love and grace. While new people have come into our workplace, there is something sacred and special about the times shared with those departed. Love to all of you. I miss you.

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Victoria Facey

February 16, 2010

This is a good day for recognition; it continues in the Valentines Day tradition of remembering those we care for…

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Barbara Mason

February 16, 2010

This writing became very personnal today for many reasons. My Grandmother would be 100 years old in September. She has dementia and resides in a Convalescant hospital in Chicago. All of my family has moved away. She is actively dying. The youngest of my 3 children has been begging for 11 months to say goodbye, we are leaving tonight for a 48 hour trip. My best memory of her is the gift my mom gave me. My mom,by her own admission, does not particularly enjoy newborns or know what to do with them, so three times, 1976, 1983 and 1992 she brought my grandmother here to CA for 6 weeks. My grandmother had all her children at home, she walked 3 journeys with me that I am now privileged to walk with my eldest. But those 18 weeks were amazing. She was gentle but firm, kind but with a tough hand and abundantly loving. My youngest Grace needs to say goodbye to her. I am hoping we are by herside when she crosses over into the arms of God. I pray I can give her what she gave me so freely, strength to know it is a safe journey, the freedom to take the last step boldly having confidence of what she will find and peace of knowing everyone on this side can’t wait to see her.

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Kelly Roberts

February 16, 2010

What a timely reflection for me. Today I was really missing my older sister who died a few years ago. I have a picture of her in my bathroom so I can look at her and remember our precious time together. These memories comfort me and sustain me until I see her again.

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Suan Geh

February 16, 2010

Memories are many: the experiences of the Lord from above,the many memories of the patients: I cared for in the home with my fellow caregivers as a team supporting one another in helping the patients to heal. Then there are other good memories: spending time with other families that have invited me into their homes. I cannot forget the one family that made the best horseradish sauce which accordingly is an American family tradition. The elder couple grew the horseradishes in their yard and the children worked hard to prepare the sauce. This was at Thanksgiving and we thanked the Lord for His provision both spiritualy and materially.

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Marily Paco Tronco

February 16, 2010

I knew of her only because she have posted a memo on the floor I worked at, requesting for support on the cause that she believes in. She had walked the talk. I spoke to her that day to drew inspiration and action plan for my physical health too. She was nice and an open person. Although I have not worked with her, I consider her my co-worker, the person I chose to remember. Please do include my friend- in your prayers. May God always bless her, her family and caregivers as she recovers from her coma.

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