“A Sacred Encounter: when
need has been heard and is answered with Love.” ~ Rev. Erie
Chapman
One of the gifts I have received by keeping company with this Journal is the exploration of thought
provoking questions posed by Erie. His inquiry gets me to think about my life in
ways I might not otherwise contemplate. To reflect upon the “how” I engage life
and the “what and why” of my thoughts and attitudes leads me into a deeper self awareness.
The process of musing over a challenging question holds immeasurable value for new revelations.
An alchemy of sorts occurs when our thoughts float from an
inner realm of the mind through the movements of our hand and onto the paper to form
words. Thoughts expressed in written language transmute to take on new life and meaning. Something
intriguing happens when we tell our stories. It is as if, in the telling we
discover something perhaps lost or hidden within, something not yet revealed to
our conscious awareness. Such thoughts once crystallized become realizations of
our innate truth. Sometimes early events in life and our responses to them can
profoundly shape our life’s destiny.
At least this is something of my experience. Erie once asked us a question about our mothers' love and the
impact it had on our formation. Actually, I had never given this much
thought. Then, I recalled an event that had a significant impact on my life. I was
ten years old when I became very ill. Dr. Cahill, our family physician made a
home visit and next I knew I was whisked away to the hospital via ambulance. My
mom stayed by my side day and night offering me the comfort of her love. I was
critically ill with spinal meningitis. For three days, it was uncertain if I
would live. I remember the isolation room was dark and I had to lay flat on my
back. I could not drink and I was extremely thirsty. The headaches were severe.
I was scared and uncomfortable. Mom told me she wished she could trade places
with me.
It was not until 40 years later, as I reflected on Erie’s
Journal question and when I wrote my response, I realized the connection
between my close brush with death, the gift of my mother’s loving presence and my work as a caregiver. Since
beginning of my nursing career in 1977, I’ve been drawn to care for people
who were dying. Although it was scary at first, I intuitively knew that this is when people need us to be there for them. I finally understood what a precious gift my mom had given me. I learned not to run, but instead to offer a loving presence. My childhood experience had shaped the course
of my life.
Currently, I am reading a book called, “Three Cups of Tea”
by authors Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. In this book the writers recount a tragic event that occurred in Mortenson's family. His younger sister Christa, was stricken with spinal
meningitis at the age of three. The illness left her with a severe seizure disorder and she had difficulty performing even the basic
tasks of daily living. Sadly, on her 23
birthday, Christa died of a massive seizure. It is clear to me, that Christa’s challenges in
life, her untimely death, and Greg's profound love of his sister influenced the
direction and unique turn his life has taken.
(Photo at left, Mortenson engaged with school children)
In 1993, while Mortenson attempted a treacherous climb
in the Karakorma mountains of Pakistan, he lost his way. Eventually, he stumbled into the remote and impoverished village
of Korphe. The villagers
welcomed and cared for Greg with extraordinary kindness. He wanted to repay
the villagers for their hospitality and vowed to return to build a desperately needed school. Since
then Mortenson’s impassioned compassion drove him to
build over 50 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. During his time spent with
the children of Korphe, Greg said he could feel Christa’s presence. “Everything
about their life was a struggle. They reminded me of the way Christa had to
fight for the simplest things. And also the way she had of persevering, no
matter what life threw at her.”
A compelling force or a “calling” is fueled when we are
confronted on a very human level by the dire needs of another. Action motivated
by loving intention can propel us toward our destiny, even without our
conscious knowing. I can’t help wonder if it is the questions (rather than answers)
that reveal to us the intricate and exquisite connections we all share. This interdependence creates purpose and meaning in our lives. Perhaps,
it is not so much the search for the right answers that matters as much as to trust
the mystery and to know that we can live into the answers.
I leave you with this quote by an extraordinary poet, Rainer Maria Rilke, "Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart
and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that
are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which
cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point
is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then
gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the
answer."
~ Liz Wessel
Journal of Sacred Work 
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