New Beginnings

It’s been quite a week, starting with finishing physical therapy on Thursday. I feel so much stronger, but still have to keep at the exercises to regain all of my strength.

Next, I received a call from a hospice organization I had interviewed with before the surgery. That position needed to be filled, but the director kept my resume and told me she would need a flex (per diem) chaplain in a few months, if I was interested. Of course! Now the position is opening, and she has offered it to me. Amazing how Spirit works – when I am ready to work again, the position appears. It’s in the Redlands area, which is currently harder for me to get to because of road closures from the floods of February. Gratefully, I have a son in Redlands with an extra bedroom. The position is for two days per week, so I will stay in Redlands overnight.

I am so excited to be working again, for the amount of time I want to be working (two days). Adding to this, I am starting a grief and loss group here in Idyllwild, probably next week. I’ll be doing what I want to do, and it’s close to home.

With all of the good things happening, it is also a time of reflection, as today marks four years since my brother John’s transition. I’ve been thinking of him a lot this week, remembering especially the seven months of his hospice care, and the good times we had when he felt good enough to get out. From lunches at local restaurants to trips to the beach and even a jazz concert, we shared some lovely memories. How appropriate it is that I have been thinking of him as my chance to do hospice chaplaincy becomes a reality once again. It was the experience with John’s hospice team that led me on this path, and here he is again watching me go. Thanks, John!

I have so much to be grateful for. Answered prayers, perfect timing, doors opening. Thank you, God!