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 178-179 White Rabbit

Liz Self Portrait -2No time, no time, White Rabbit exclaims
Alone it is he who must pace and race
To a very important kind of place
It’s all up him, only he will do
So shoo, shoo…he must get through


Her worried thoughts begin to mount
As she adds the tasks and starts to count
Quickening in an anxious stride
In blurring speed, she now abides


Love’s longing calls out
To engage his heart
Words echo, trail off, alone, apart
Tomorrow, tomorrow he will begin to live
You see all the attention he has to give
Is to his agendas, brimming, overflowing, and full
When suddenly tragedy hits hard, exerting a pull


Falling from her high horse, she cries in disbelief
Experiences remorse and pains of grief
Only to discover Love’s gentle relief
Lies in the irreplaceable gift of this day,
So give your life, give all as you may
Live Love,  and Love;  Love your life away

I attempted this poem just after I learned that my brother was diagnosed with cancer and within six months he left this earthly plane.  When lightning strikes it wakes you in an instant.

Although I penned these lines some years ago, it could have been yesterday. At one time or another we will experience personal heartbreak or misfortune. We only need listen to the news to learn of the anguish and despair that is unfolding on a global level. 

Yet, regardless of what may befall us, the seeming smallest of gestures, an act of kindness, an expression of love, lingers and lives within us forever.

 Liz Sorensen Wessel 

Self portrait, 2011 by ~liz

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12 responses to “Days 178-179 White Rabbit”

  1. Terry Chapman Avatar
    Terry Chapman

    I feel your heartache as I read your words Liz: touchingly written; but more wonderfully lived, for you, your brother, and for all of us brothers and sisters of the world! Keep on sharing your thoughts with us; we are the richer for it! Love never leaves us; it only changes its shape.

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  2. Woody Wessel Avatar
    Woody Wessel

    Johnny was a great guy, you did everything any one could do for him. Liz you don’t stop loving some one when they die, they just move into your heart. That love will always be with you.

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  3. Sherry Avatar
    Sherry

    Dear Liz,
    Energy is neither created nor destroyed, this and my faith sustain me. I have said goodbye to two younger sisters gone too soon, taken by cancer. Being in the field doesn’t make us less vulnerable, but more aware.
    God’s will can never take us where God’s grace cannot sustain us. Thank you for your words and art and sharing so much of yourself. My remaining siblings and I remember the pain, love and lessons during the last days of our precious Marnie’s life, passed July 9, 2016. The professionals like you, were there, guiding and supporting at such a sacred time. We thank God for you and others like you in our lives. Carry on Warrior, Carry on Love.

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  4. Erie Avatar
    Erie

    First, you worked so long and hard to become a great caregiver that you became able to heal as well as cure.
    Now you have have refined your artistic gifts so well that you heal with your drawings, paintintings and words.
    Thank you, Liz.

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  5. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Thank you for this sharing from your beautiful heart.

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  6. Jolyon Avatar
    Jolyon

    Time, no time
    White rabbit
    Tomorrow is the beginning
    …it could have been yesterday.
    I have always had a problem with time. Time seems to be the judge and jury of existence some days. Why? Time is but a construct that we are taught to adhere to. Taught to be in the present but we cannot stay there. The past is what we should have done in the present but yet it too passed. The future holds out promise and hope, but in the blink of an eye we are miles away from the path we meant to take.
    White rabbit. I see a lot of them nearly every day and I have yet to see one with a timepiece. Curious. Must take a closer look when we both have time.
    Tomorrow is the beginning of today. We just need to embrace it in the morning…with a hug and a smile. Enter it laughing.
    …it could have been yesterday. And it was. Yesterday we got the word that a close friend of many years has cancer and it is spreading. It seems like we just said goodbye to other family and friends and it starts again. But it is not about me. We are now the heart and soul of support for another. Love will give us strength. The Peace and Serenity of another is the nourishment that sustains us…
    Namaste

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  7. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    I so appreciate your kind words, Terry and especially your insight, “Love never leaves us; it only changes its shape.” I find it such a beautiful thought to contemplate.

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  8. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Thanks Wood, I am glad you had the chance to know him and his gentle heart of gold.

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  9. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Thank you for joining our conversation, Sherry. I am sorry for the loss of your sisters…yes, we are not less vulnerable…and it has not even been a year since Marnie left this earth. Your grief is so fresh. My heart goes out to you and your family.
    “Energy is neither created nor destroyed” I find this and faith a comfort as well. So good to know that others walked along side you, Marie and your family during such a sacred time, those last days are so precious. Thank you for such a grace filled blessing and sharing your heart with us.

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  10. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Thank you, Erie for such a loving affirmation.

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  11. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    and thank you for sharing the radiance of yours, Lynn

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  12. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Fascinating insights and reflection on time, Jolyon, thanks for this and more. I am sorry to hear of your dear fiends illness. You are a kind and generous soul.

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