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 35-36 Living Grace

February 4, 2012

Essay by ~liz Sorensen Wessel

If aging is an inevitable course of living and if I happen to live a long life, then my hope is that I might do so gracefully. I once thought I’d like to live to be a hundred, but more recently I’ve decided that the quality of my life is much more desirable than quantity. My late friend Claudia once said to me, “Liz, I’m not afraid of dying; it is the loss of my independence that scares me.”

I wonder, what does it mean to live grace-fully?

Here's one definition of grace as defined in the dictionary, “To get a better perspective, seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement or proportion".

Immediately, the woman who comes to mind is my mom. Through my years, I’ve watched her emulate a most amazing grace that is both understated and unassuming while manifesting a rare but simple Beauty. Aging for my mom has unfolded quite naturally. I like that she never felt a need to dye her hair nor was she lured by cosmetic promises to a fountain of youth. I’ve admired the way in which she continually greets life with acceptance of the good, the heartbreak, the challenges; the harder still.

My precious mom, Elizabeth Dorothea Sorensen or best known to her kin as "Lilla" and her friends as "Lee" will be 96 years old on February 17. Although of late she is encountering physical challenges she perseveres in her steadfast independence, doing for herself as best she can.

I wish to share this prayer by Joyce Rupp coupled with this marvelous video of a woman by the name of Maia. Her friend created this video in honor of her 95th birthday. I learned that they met on a plane and that Maia was once a Russian ballet dancer. She and her mom used to exercise with dance movements together long before it became popular. As I watched her graceful movements, I experienced a spark of renewed optimism for our human potential to Live Gracefully.

May I Have This Dance?

Beloved Dancer of my Heart, thank you for being a faithful presence and a

loving partner on my journey of life. Your grace-filled movements

continually teach me fresh inner dance steps. You invite me to trust you

more fully as you direct my whole self to the music of continual growth.

Remind me often that the more easily I glide along with you, the freer my

heart becomes. When my days hold distress and discouragement, encourage me

to draw near to you. Move me gently across the dance floor of my unwanted

experiences. Twirl me around joyfully when my heart yields to the wonder and

delight found in positive events, loving people and the beauty of life.

Guide me through the unknown steps of confusion and mystery-laden

transitions when I am not sure which way to move.

I will listen to your invitation as you daily invite me to join you in

partnership. May my inner footsteps be ever more in sync with yours. Each

day as your voice calls to me through the melody of your love, I will

respond: “Yes, I want to be one with you, Beloved Dancer of my Heart. Come,

be my partner. I will follow where you lead.” ~Amen.

Watercolor by ~liz

Posted in Uncategorized

6 responses to “Days 35-36 Living Grace”

erie chapman

February 4, 2012

Liz,
How wonderful for you (and thus for us) that you have such a splendid model of grace in your mother. Growing old is only appealing if we can do it as has she – and as YOU will. – erie

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candace nagle

February 4, 2012

Liz, This is it! Most definitely, to age with grace, like your mom and Maia…this is the life journey of faith and creativity. My friend, Ruth, was my muse for aging…She had that same acceptance and joy of life. Watching Maia, you can see that ‘just to be is holy’. She is amazingly beautiful. We are so fortunate to have these women to emulate. I wish I could meet your mom. Thanks for inspiring my day…I will feel beautiful inside and out all day from reading this post.

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Julie Laverdiere

February 4, 2012

I just lost my mom 2 months ago, at age 93, just shy of her 94th birthday. She had a bleed from a hit on the head. Just as she was coming back from the CAT scan, they rushed to me and said,”do you want surgery?” The next questions I asked were, can you tell me she will survive the surgery? or can you tell me if she will go back to the way she was? The answers were no, we can’t. This was an adorable little old lady who was failing in her mind and body already. My sisters and I decided we didn’t want to cause harm, and we would take her as she was. She woke up from her confusion, and told me she would have never wanted surgery. Then she slipped away 10 days later, at home, in her own bed. And she missed the the disability part of life. She went with dignity, and grace. Thank you God.

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Stephanie

February 5, 2012

Thank you Liz! I treasure having examples such as Mia for a graceful old age. I enjoyed your poem about dancing with God. There’s a song that I hear on the radio which sings, “I can only imagine what I’ll do when I see Jesus face to face”. Recently I’ve been picturing myself doing the polka with Him out of pure joy and exhuberance.

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Marily

February 6, 2012

Thank you Liz. May you always live in the radiance of His Presence, living gracefully all the days of your life.

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Maria Doglio

February 8, 2012

Wow! I am dusting off my yoga tapes tonight! There is such beauty and grace emanating from Maia’s face. She is a delight to behold and a reminder that how we choose to live creates how we live.
Thank you for sharing Liz.

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