When RMH President Rob Cercek introduced me at Riverside's Nursing Scholarship event last year we noticed murmurs in the crowd. Many probably thought, "Erie Chapman. Is he still alive?
No wonder. Forty two years since my first day there as CEO. "Seems like yesterday," a contemporary shared.
I spotted widely beloved retired nurse Kathleen Grannan, R.N.(right) in the RMH crowd and wanted to say that "just yesterday" line to her.
"Just yesterday" I interviewed world class Baptist ICU nurse Deadra Hall, R.N. (left) about her great caregiving. That was in 2001.
All alums say another refrain. "Time went so fast."
It did not. Why do we think it?
Is time a telescope cutting the distance between us and faraway? Does memory pull that trick by cutting the distance between us and long ago?
The retro-scope compresses a million other moments. Long ago feels closer than last week. Sometimes it is remembered better.
Sure, caregivers have terrible days. Wish I could rewind the clock to stop the tragedy of research tech Joyce McFadden; erase the memory of her facedown in blood on the lab floor. Same with her partner, Pat Matix, both murdered by Pat's husband and his partner.*
But on THIS day, we celebrate your joyful recollections: Mom's shedding tears on first seeing their babies; family cheering when patient's were healed…
God calls all to help others. You caregiver alums have a special blessing. You did that during thousands of your precious yesterdays.
Thank you.
-Erie Chapman
President, just yesterday, of Riverside Toledo, Riverside Methodist, OhioHealth, Baptist Hospital System…
*NBC's film, "The FBI Murders" tells how Bill Matix and partner were killed.
Journal of Sacred Work 
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