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.

Recent Posts

About

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.

Days 173-177 – Midnight Friends

The chapman banta men   Last December my brother married his partner of thirty years. They invited an exclusive group to the ceremony. He & his husband call them "Our Midnight Friends" – people they can phone at any hour & they will come to help. No questions asked. 

   They were the only attendees. These special people understand & love John & Spike in a way that may run deeper than blood ties.

   Who are your dearest friends? If you had an emergency (maybe a drunk driving arrest?) & all your family & friends lived near enough to help who would you trust unconditionally?

   Naturally, we want to  qualify the choice with, "It depends on the emergency." But that defeats the exercise. 

   If you have one heart friend you can call no matter what you are fortunate (three of mine are pictured: my son, best friend & his son – I'd take a bullet for any one of them.)  If you are such a friend they are fortunate.

   The true Good Samaritan lives an unconditional love that never even asks, "Is this my friend?" but will help no matter who or what. That is the godliness that blooms in the garden of Radical Loving Care.

-Erie Chapman  

 

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4 responses to “Days 173-177 – Midnight Friends”

  1. Terry Chapman Avatar
    Terry Chapman

    Now, you’ve gone and written a real difficult one to think about, in this context! Yes, I have two sons who easily fit the bill; love is clearly involved, but yet there is something more at work, when we are together. There is a liveliness of ideas and sharing that is unmatched when with anyone else. I would walk to the ends of the Earth to help them, at a moment’s notice.
    But for a soul mate, that often overworked word–Margaret, my wife, comes lovingly to mind and heart! Margaret keeps me smiling at myself at the most difficult of times, and we surmount all obstacles and keep on smiling! Who else would I need, at midnight or sunrise, or sunset? We just keep it simple: she let’s me be me and I let her be her!

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  2. Todd Meador Avatar
    Todd Meador

    I aspire to be that kind of friend to friends and everyone alike. Of course I fall short for being that type of a friend for everyone. But that is the kind of person I am striving to be.
    This post reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
    “The best way to judge a person’s true character is to observe how they treat someone who can’t do anything for or against them.” -Unknown

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  3. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    I appreciate the wonderful responses from Todd and Terry and most especially your heart rendering reflection, Erie.
    This past week I watched a Danish film on Netfix, called, ” Come One Day.” In this story, two young boys wind up being sent to an orphanage when their mothers dies of cancer. The story is based on an actual account. The terrible abusive discipline these boys go through would turn the nicest child into a villain. Yet what touched my soul was despite what they endured, their love prevailed for each other… and the other boys. Kindness amidst cruelty, a flowering gesture amid a barren desert, taking a bullet for the sake of another; restores my faith in humanity.
    Although it was hard to watch, I fell in love with those 2 young brothers and I wanted to know how things turned out for them and love did triumph.

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  4. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    I meant to comment on this a few days ago, but never too late! When I was taking chemo and my husband and I had just split up, friends came out of the woodwork and insisted I call any time, even in the middle of the night, if I needed something. I never did have to call, but it gave me peace of mind, and now that special memory is present, that you can have those midnight friends, when you need it!

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