Meaningful Reflections: Hope along the journey
We must continue to look ahead and always hold on to hope. Hope for our patients. Hope for our fellow workers. Hope for ourselves.
By Kim Crawford Meeks
Spiritual Care Manager
I was in the lobby of Children’s & Women’s Hospital a couple of weeks ago and could see the front entrance. A grandmother and grandson, who looked to be about 3 years old, entered the hospital. He had daddy-like clothes on — little slacks, boots, a button-down shirt, and a vest. He was ready to meet his new baby sister!
His grandmother was going through our checkpoint. He came through the entrance and stood in the lobby, turned, and looked around. He obviously was searching for something. I soon realized he was seeking out the elevator buttons.
Once he spotted the elevators, he turned to his grandmother and said, “Gran, I will push the elevator button.” She said, “OK,” and continued digging through her purse for something. He looked again at the elevator to be sure he knew exactly where to go. He looked ahead to where he would be going and had a plan — one of determination and hope.
She finally finished, walked over to him, and took his hand. They began to walk toward the elevator. He said, “Gran, I’m pushing the elevator button.” She said, “Yes, I know. I heard you.” A few steps later he declared with great concern, “Gran, I really hope you won’t push the button!”
This little boy had hope in a plan he placed ahead of himself on the journey. He sought the plan, communicated his plan, voiced his concerns, and even though the journey toward his goal caused him a bit of anxiety, he proceeded to fulfill his plan. He maintained hope.
As healthcare workers, we will have anxiety along the journey. Hope will be hard to find at times. We must continue to look ahead and always hold on to hope. Hope for our patients. Hope for our fellow workers. Hope for ourselves.
Hope is essential for our journey. As Martin Luther, a German priest, theologian, and author, said, “Everything that is done in this world is done by hope.”
Learn more about Spiritual Care at USA Health. Patients, family members, and USA Health associates are encouraged to call the Meaningful Reflections Line at 251-445-9016 for a daily recorded word of encouragement.
