Week 2 of 52
As I mentioned in my last post, 2022 was a doozie of a year. Yes, doozie is the only dumbed down word I can think of to describe it without writing a whole novel. Back in October, as I was walking my dogs, I had a chain of ideas that ultimately lead to the nudge to volunteer for Hospice. Immediately when I returned home I researched local Hospices and filled out volunteer applications. I was so excited when I heard back and thought, “this will help get me out of the rut I’m in”. I”ll be taking part in something bigger than myself and with greater purpose.
A few weeks later, I went to the location to pick up my binder and the training was supposed to start soon after. When I got there, I instantly loved the training coordinator and chatted away with her. However, she said in all her years she had never seen this happen (seen what happen?!). She said I was the only one who responded to following through with the program and that training will have to be delayed until more people commit. I was disappointed but, at that point in the year, I wasn’t surprised. Delayed, postponed, not now, wait. Those were all words I was far too familiar with. I suppose patience was a theme that God intended on teaching me last year. I can confidently say I have a PhD in Patience with a Master’s in Trust at this point.
Fast forward to January and here we are. Training resumed! Week 2 of 52 just so happened to be my first Hospice training session and I fell in love instantly. Hospice’s mission is to care for the whole person (mind, body and spirit) and his or her family. As a volunteer, it is my role to provide comfort that creates a pleasant distraction in the patient’s life. To exemplify God’s love through empathy, kindness, compassion and peace. What’s even more aligned is I happen to be volunteering for a Hospice whose overall mission is to “extend the healing ministry of Christ”.
Through out this process, and I haven’t even officially started volunteering yet as I’m still in training, I’m learning more about myself. I’m learning that using my spiritual gifts of love, compassion and empathy are truly what lights me up the most. I’ve always felt somewhat like a fish out of water in my corporate career roles. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve succeeded in those roles as far as the promotions, salary increases, accolades, etc. . My work ethic was there, but my heart wasn’t. Back in 2019, that started to becoming more evident as those gifts bottled up inside began whispering. Then over the years, that whisper became an audible voice that turned into yelling. I could write an actual book on that journey, but all that needs to be said is that has led me to this point on my timeline of life.
I’m so excited to see where this journey takes me. The people I’ll meet, the experiences to have, and witnessing the beauty of the transition of life. I don’t want people to feel alone and especially in the hardest moments of their life. Everyone deserves to feel cared for, cherished and to know that they matter. I hope to be a glimmer of hope and exemplify God’s love during the hard moments.
Love is stronger than death even though it can’t stop death from happening. In the end, a lifetime of love given and received is stronger than death.”