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the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
‘Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.’ –Ian Maclaren
This is a photo of David, who works the coffee cart in the main lobby of the hospital. Not only does he make a mean soy cappuccino, but he takes his position seriously as someone there to care…an empathetic ear to whomever comes through his queue. People are coming into the hospital all day, every day, for all reasons, but each with a story that is more important to them at that moment than anything else. Some are coming in to deliver a new baby, some are coming in to say their last goodbyes. The patients may be the ones receiving medical attention, but the families are usually in need of comfort too.
I get this sense every day as I go to the hospital, that the nurses are there to take care of Vernon AND me, and they seem to do it joyfully. Every person who works in this hospital seem to take their (sometimes small-seeming) jobs as opportunities to be kind to people who are truly fighting a personal battle (or celebrating a victory!) And I’m sure they often make a big difference. Oh, what an example they are. If we could all live with that mentality all the time, not just in the hospital, can you imagine?
There are no small players. Even the parking lot rises to the occasion: as you drive in, there is a sign that reads “PEACE TO WHO ALL WHO COME HERE” and a sign on the way out that reads “PEACE BE WITH YOU.”
As for Vernon, the wires were taken out of his jaw this evening. Hopefully, the staff will be able to give us more information tomorrow on infections and how they will treat them. Not always interesting news for the blog…nor are the legal issues I am startling to tackle. Maybe by the end of this, I’ll feel like a real live ADULT. And Vernon will move around like one!
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We continue to wish God’s blessings for you. We are grateful for small steps each day and will continue to pray! Thank you for noticing all the people who work in the hospital!
Allison, that’s so great to hear that the wires are out. You’ve taken one more step on the path!
Allison dear,
You are such a sweet comfort to Vernon. The time will be rough but with all the people surronding you you should make fine. We are praying for you here. There around 2000 women in this group that I am a part of and keep asking about Vernon so I copy and paste it on the prayer line.
God be with you and your family.
Love
Becky Jones
Thanks so much Becky, for your multiplied faithfulness. xoxo Wow, 2000 women! amazing.
People will sometimes remark to me, “How do you stay present for the drug addicts and alcoholics you work with EVERYDAY? how do you do it?”
I tell them, “Empathy”. I cannot possibly know what it is like having the life they did, nor understand the disease they battle. I CAN understand it in my own way, how I apply it to my life. And I can understand it as a clinical psychologist and therapist. But empathy allows me the wonderful gift of not only working to understand their world, but “holding it with them.”
What you and Justine are experiencing, this empathy, as you watch all the different people care for Vernon, care for you, and support you….will be the foundation of who you are for the rest of your lives. God is OH, so good.
Praying specifically for wisdom and PEACE and empathetic people as you tackle the legal battles. Love you and praying praying praying.
Peace, Peace, Peace…Keep looking for the Good and Believing for the Good and know that you are LOVED all ALL being lifted up by more than you can imagine…to our God who can do MORE than we ask…..LOVE YOU….Prayerfully!!!
thank you Jessica. It hasn’t been hard to look for the good. in the eye of the storm, the silver is BRIGHT. However, some days, like today, the day after this post was written, I’m feeling tired.
blogging on hospitality again tomorrow (can’t seem to get rid of that topic!) and here you are writing about so beautifully (shout out to David!)- feel free to link on today’s Tuesday’s taste and see – this is the Lord’s goodness. love and prayers, aunt sue
It is enjoyable to read about the compassionate people at Mission who encourage you and care for you. Your posts show show how small improvements are huge blessings. Sometimes baby steps can be such giant steps. I am sure many mountains are climbed while asking “Father, may I take one baby step forward?”. Wonderful to read the wires were removed from Vernon’s jaw…he has taken quite a few steps forward from “just breathe”. God is good and loves you very much.
EMPATHY ~ what a word, a word used a lot in my house ..Paul with his union work, me with the children …oh the children, the hurt i feel because of Aaron`s lack of Empathy at this time..i know he cannot help how he feels ..but for all his wonderful qualities..Empathy is one that very rarely surfaces….and Lewis bless him tries so hard to understand how i feel. I think Empathy is a wonderful feeling for yourself and for others, what a world we would live in if no one had Empathy…..
So pleased the wiring is out …and those infections can be dealt with swiftly.. as for all the legal “stuff”, hope you get lots of good advice, go girl xx love you xx
We seem to be very late reading the updates because of the time difference. Jennifer turned the lego police station into the Mission hospital yesterday. It feels like we should be there still, but its good to be here. The children are being their good old selves, Maki joking and chatty and very lovely. All Our love to you.
Thank God for David and his espresso machine!
Thanks to you too, for joining us for one! Thanks for your visit, Joe, truly. I’m sure it will touch Vernon a lot to know you were there…Hospitals are scary places to people who haven’t experienced them. But you know what it’s like being in there, so you understand.
I was touched by your comment that there are no small players in life. Everyone has a significant part to play and the role you are playing at present is so challenging. I wanted to tell you again how inspired I am by your courage, transparency and love. We continue to stand with you in our prayers.
As an RN who has worked in hospitals and a recent patient in a hospital and convalescent hospital, I truly understand how important each person is who comes into contact with patients AND their families. I experienced a FEW bad apples in my barrel, but for the majority from the housekeeper who cleaned the floor in my room to the busy surgeon who came to check up on me and the VERY kind and empathetic nurses who delivered pain medicine; I was proud to be a part of the medical profession. I pray for you all daily and for those who care for you, that they will be kind, wise and most of all empathetic.