Since my FBC (F-bomb breast cancer) diagnosis, when circumstances have been especially difficult for me, I have tried to put things into perspective by reflecting on my work in pediatric hospice.
People often ask, “How could you work with dying children?” I don’t honestly know. It’s certainly not as if I woke up one day and said, “Gee, I’d like to work with dying children.” I mean, really.
What I know for sure is that for some (strange) reason, I was given the capacity to be with children and their families during this incredibly painful and vulnerable time.
I believe that my work in pediatric hospice was a calling for me. My vocation. Whenever I was at the bedside of a patient, I always had a strong feeling of suitability, as if I were meant to be there. Certainly there were days when I came home, crawled into bed and cried because of the overwhelming sadness and pain associated with the dying and death of a child; however, I still felt as if I were exactly where I was supposed to be.
I’ve felt similiarly writing this blog. I’ve written because it’s what I’ve felt like I’m supposed to do. Note that I didn’t say “Should” do. I’m still against the whole concept of “Shoulding” on oneself. Rather, there has been a rightness to writing. I feel as if I am doing exactly what I am meant to do at this time in my life.
I believe that everyone has a calling in life. Each person’s calling is unique and distinctive and in alliance with personality traits and talents. I believe that a person’s calling is not one specific magical job, but rather the unique talents, gifts, and capabilities within a person that one brings to a job and to life in general.
When I have operated in my life’s calling(s), I have a deep sense of peace and an overwhelming feeling of personal satisfaction. I feel as if I am just one piece of a larger, interconnected puzzle. I believe that this puzzle also happens to be spectacularly beautiful (Silver Lining).
I truly hope that you find the same feeling in life.
Thank you again and again for reading the Brookside Buzz!
If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and BECAUSE of you.
~ T. Alan Armstrong
Hollye as close as Tecolote is to your home I can see why you go there.
However SB has a hidden treasure Chaucer's Book store try it I am sure
you will find many SL"s ………. oooooxoxoxoxoxoR
Beautiful….!!! It is very difficult to explain to people "why" we do this work?? For me there wasn't even a "why" …it just "is". I love reading your blog and hope we find ourselves working together again very soon!!
Thank you for this beautiful post. It means a lot to me. Please keep writing!!
Kim
I get asked that same question on a daily basis, "How do you work with people who have/had cancer?" And I agree, it's an inner calling that exists in one's being…you either have it or you don't- it can't be forced. The Silver Lining is that people that own it get self satisfaction from their work, and are appreciative. I'm glad you know you are living out your calling, sometimes there is no better fulfillment.