Cynthia (a pseudonym), was sitting on the edge of her bed when I entered her room. I had been speaking with a nurse when she was wheeled into her room only 15 minutes prior. I introduced myself as the burn unit chaplain and stated that I would normally have waited until the following day to speak with her; but I was moved not to wait and to speak with her today. Cynthia responded with a heart-felt thank you and said that the Lord knew that she needed to speak with someone in that moment, especially a person who could support her spiritually. She then proceeded to share during the next hour how she had survived the total destruction of her home with only the nightclothes she was wearing. She recounted how her fiancé survived only because she was able to pull him out of the house. Soon after she pulled him to safety, he collapsed from smoke inhalation. Cynthia confessed a deep despair because she had experienced several traumatic events in the past two years and now was facing the loss of all her material possessions, including the home that she had occupied for only four months. Cynthia requested prayer for her fiancé who had been admitted to the Burn Intensive Care Unit and for her ability to not lose hold “to God’s unchanging hand,” a reference to a song that she learned as a child and still found comfort in the lyrics.
I returned the following day to continue providing spiritual care to Cynthia. Reflecting on our initial conversation, I brought with me a bible and a teddy bear. During our visit, I shared that I understood a significant amount of time would pass before she could rebuild a home and replace her possessions; so, I wanted to aid her with these two items. Cynthia smiled as she shared that she had planned to ask me for a bible because she wanted to read the bible to help pass the time. She then began to cry when I handed her the teddy bear. She said that she had always loved teddy bears. Our conversation was then briefly interrupted when her nurse came into the room to inform her that she would be discharged by the early afternoon. Cynthia’s facial expression initially reflected gladness but was then altered with the realization that she had no clothing or shoes to wear out of the hospital nor was there clothing and shoes that could be retrieved from her home that had been destroyed by fire less than 24 hours earlier.
In that moment I was reminded that my work as a chaplain often entails much more than a ministry of presence, active listening, a scripture reading and prayer. Without question, Cynthia had a need for spiritual care and support, but she also had an immediate tangible need. After asking about her clothing sizes, I shared with her that I would attempt to locate clothing prior to her discharge that afternoon. I called Rev. Dr. Ebony Only, our community chaplain, and informed her of Cynthia’s needs. By the time I arrived back to the office, Rev. Only had complied a list of locations where clothing could be obtained. I chose Goodwill Industries because of its proximity to the hospital and my desire to return before Cynthia’s planned afternoon discharge. In less than two hours, I was able to return to the hospital to provide Cynthia with a winter coat, boots, socks and a hat. Cynthia was also given a $50.00 gift card from Target so that she could purchase additional personal items. I received a hug and a God bless you from Cynthia. It is impossible to know from day to day what will be required when I enter the critical care units that I support; however, I am thankful for each and every unique opportunity to support the patients, families and staff within John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County. We thank you for your gifts that make such spiritual care and support possible.
Since 1948, Bishop Anderson House has drawn its inspiration from the humanistic aspirations of the Social Gospel. This year we have provided thousands of hours of spiritual care, graduated students from our Spiritual Care Visitor Training Program in spite of the COVID pandemic, developed our Spanish Speaking Spiritual Care Program and supported local clergy in building resiliency during these unprecedented times. It is because of the support of our generous donors who give their time, talent, and treasure that we can do this important work.
As we end 2021 and prepare to enter a new year, we want to extend our heartfelt thank you for volunteering your time, donating new teddy bears, handmade prayer shawls, and backpacks. We are also grateful for the many ways you've given your treasure through recurrent and one-time gifts, including us in your estate planning and making donations of stocks and securities.
We would be so very grateful if you would continue your generous support for 2022. Your act of generosity will go a long way in furthering our mission of combining traditional chaplaincy duties with ministry. It means so much to those in need of The Gift of Chaplaincy.
