Gratitude Monday: I am thankful for healing
This weekend was a weekend for healing and new beginnings. I thank God for healing me in a way that I was able to follow His will.
As a child, I felt like an outsider. As I reflect back, that feeling was there before my mom died. After my mom’s death, I moved to Texas. Not only did I feel like an outsider, I was was constantly reminded of the fact that I was an outsider .
Earlier this year, I lost my first hospice companion. I remember getting the email that she passed. While I knew that the day would come, I was devastated when it happened. I had been out of town and was looking forward to seeing her. I saw the email the day I was going to see her.
I was not confident in my relationship with her, the impact my support had on her children, nor was I confident in myself. Not realizing at the time that my baggage from my childhood was a barrier to understanding the importance of my role, I asked for permission from the hospice volunteer to attend the wake.
By the time I heard back, it was too late. However; I stopped by the wake and gave a special bouquet to each of her children. While she had been in the hospice, I gave her two cute little bears for each of her grandchildren.
When I walked into the chapel and presented her children with their bouquet, the appreciation I saw in their eyes caught me by surprise. I realized: they needed me there. My own baggage got in the way of fully carrying out my service.
I grew from the lessons I learned from my first hospice companion, and that growth allowed me to be in the present for my most recent companion, Patricia Clarke.
I thank God for the healing and resolution from some of my past. I am also thankful that because I was able to fully trust God, He was able to use me as a vehicle to help my recently deceased hospice companion’s family start the healing process. We were all blessed this weekend with comfort, love, legacy and new beginning. I am so thankful — even on a Monday!
Remember foot soldiers, gratitude improves attitude and increases blessing. GM everyone!
October 19, 2015 @ 6:27 pm
Thanks so much for this healing process for me and my family Jowanna you will forever be in our hearts and mind’s we may have lost one sister but we gained another one thanks again for the love you showed our family this weekend and doing this hard time we love you and your family….. Much love Susan Ridle pat’s little sister
October 21, 2015 @ 10:30 am
Thank you for embracing me during such a difficult time. Thank you for letting me grieve with you and start the healing process with you. You are forever my soul sister.
October 20, 2015 @ 9:47 am
Your act of kindness and compassion provided healing for all involved. Not everyone is willing to listen to God’s small still voice when he asks us to ACT. It was a blessing to watch you be a vessel that allowed god to comfort a hurting family and help them begin the task of living again. Your gift of presence , as well as sharing your home and family provided an amazing example of the true purpose that God calls each of to, and that is to serve. The Sacred Journey family has been blessed by your service , and the families you embrace are blessed as well. I never expected Sunday to move me as much as it did.