Friday evening’s birthday party for a good friend was lively, and loud with a dozen grandchildren squealing and laughing and performing for their best grandpa in the whole world, and rich with fellowship and seeing folks not seen in a long time. We’d opted to overnight in a local hotel rather than make the trip back home that night. The next morning, Saturday, while preparing to go home, a trip to the restroom was interrupted by my head’s collision with the tiled floor. Following a brief commotion and ambulance ride, I arrived at the hospital where I sit awaiting tests. It’s been 61 years since I was a patient in a hospital. The experience has been enlightening. Let me explain:
Did you know that hospitals are really, really, busy places? Did you know that it takes a whole bunch of people to make a hospital run? Did you know that it takes a special kind of person to choose to enter the medical profession? Did you know that God walks the halls of hospitals? Did you know that you can have divine encounters in the hospital? For example:
The EMTs who came to get my sorry self out of the restroom. They were amazing! Efficient. Professional. Caring. Attentive. Personable. On top of their game. They did their job and vanished without so much as a thank you from me! Off to the next emergency like it was the normal thing to do.
The staff in the Emergency Department. The best! They took such care of me and several others around me, even when I was parked in a hallway because there were no more rooms. I was never left to feel abandoned. Each one who tended to my needs was both professional and personable, despite the obvious fact that they were slammed with incoming patients. I was never made to feel a nuisance.
The nurses and staff here on my wing are like angels! Several are believers (and happy to be able to share their faith with someone while at work!) All are deeply caring and funny. The food is really good. The responsiveness is impeccable. And everything is done with the attitude, ‘It’s just what we do.’ No looking for accolades and surprised to be appreciated for their efforts.
I’m reminded of the song we’ve sometimes sung, ‘Everywhere I look I see You.’ God is here in this hospital. And He is very busy! I wouldn’t have chosen to meet all these beautiful children of God the way I have, but it has been a sweet series of encounters that has lifted my soul (and Sue’s) in gratitude. My gown isn’t the latest fashion, but it seems to shock no one so I guess I’ll keep wearing it – for now. Keep looking for God. He’s literally everywhere! Blessed to be His! See y’all soon. PD
