What I saw today...

 

                                                                What I saw today...

I was blessed to be allowed to go and make a visit at one of our local hospitals. This hospital has had a no visitor rule in place for a week, yet they continue to allow clergy limited crisis contact. So I went to make my visit.

While I was in the room the phlebotomist came to draw blood. This is a tough job-and I don’t even mind blood… that much. She was very kind and patient as she did her job. I asked her how it was going. She told me how she comes in and it’s nonstop. No lunch break, potty breaks or any pause to the action-they are short handed and blood work needs to be done. I could hear the tension in her voice.

I checked in at the chaplain’s office and he thanked me for coming but said I probably won’t have access much longer. The virus is filling up the floor after floor. He said he’s never seen anything like this.

I got in the elevator and a young nurse got off, checked herself and then got back on-she said she didn’t even know what floor she was on anymore. I said long day? She looked at me with tired eyes and said I got here at 7pm last night-now it’s 11am I just need to go home. I blessed her on her way.

As I left the building a guy walked up to a security guard and said in a voice that was just a little too loud “well I bet your job is a lot easier now that visitors can’t go in-last week I could go in now I can’t see my family!” and he just walked away. I went to the guard and said I bet your job didn’t get easier-he just looked at me with tired eyes and said “yeah.”

This is just what I saw, heard and felt. I’ve been in a lot of hospitals over the years but this was different. People are getting stretched thin. Pray for our medical workers that they would have health and strength, peace and patience to weather this storm. Wear your mask-keep your distance-wash your hands and love your neighbor in doing it all.