I've been asked to repost this by another member here. So...here you go. One of my first published writings years ago:
This is a true experience that I had many years ago. It deeply impacted my life and was one of those experiences that shaped the way I view the universe. It was initially published in Spirit & Life magazine in 1995. I share it with you now with their permission.
WHEN GOD CALLS
Working for a large home health agency in Florida was my first venture back into the work force after seven years of being a stay at home mom. I was delighted to find that part of my new job included daily phone contact with the elderly. The program provided a morning phone call to patients who lived alone, assuring us that all was well and that no one had fallen or become ill overnight. I looked forward to calling these wonderful people each morning.
Until I phoned Ida Kay.
Ida had been put on my list of calls that morning by Roy, our social worker. Roy explained that Ida refused the nursing services her doctor had ordered. We knew only that she had cancer and that her doctor was extremely concerned, as she lived alone and apparantly had no family or friends. The woman appeared to be a veritable hermit, having her groceries delivered and was only rarely glimpsed peeking through her doorway by neighbors. With my daily phone calls, at least we would know when she needed help or, hopefully, we could get her to agree to medical atttention. Eager to help, I dialed as Roy stood by.
"Yes, yes, this is Ida! Who is this?" came a harsh, demanding voice in reply to my friendly hello. Explaining who I was and that I would like her permission to call her daily, I was met with a "Harrummmppphh," and then silence. I was new at the job and unsure what to say next to this unusual woman, when she suddenly asked, "How old are you, girlie?"
"Well, Miss Kay, I'm 30," I stammered, glad to have the silence broken. "A baby," she muttered, obviously irritated. "OK, girlie, got any children?" Her gruff voice and bluntness grated on my nerves and was throwing me off balance. "Uh, yes, Miss Kay. I have three boys. Do you have any children?" Ignoring my question, she threw another at me. "Do you believe in God, little girl?"
The lady definitely had a firm opinion on the subject of God, I was sure from her tone. I just wasn't sure what that opinion was! And I was very sure my answer was going to be the key to her acceptance or refusal of my future phone calls. Company policy was avoidance of religion and politics in conversations with our patients, but a small voice within urged me to an honest reply. Although I am Wiccan, my tradition does believe in God.
(cont. next post)
This is a true experience that I had many years ago. It deeply impacted my life and was one of those experiences that shaped the way I view the universe. It was initially published in Spirit & Life magazine in 1995. I share it with you now with their permission.
WHEN GOD CALLS
Working for a large home health agency in Florida was my first venture back into the work force after seven years of being a stay at home mom. I was delighted to find that part of my new job included daily phone contact with the elderly. The program provided a morning phone call to patients who lived alone, assuring us that all was well and that no one had fallen or become ill overnight. I looked forward to calling these wonderful people each morning.
Until I phoned Ida Kay.
Ida had been put on my list of calls that morning by Roy, our social worker. Roy explained that Ida refused the nursing services her doctor had ordered. We knew only that she had cancer and that her doctor was extremely concerned, as she lived alone and apparantly had no family or friends. The woman appeared to be a veritable hermit, having her groceries delivered and was only rarely glimpsed peeking through her doorway by neighbors. With my daily phone calls, at least we would know when she needed help or, hopefully, we could get her to agree to medical atttention. Eager to help, I dialed as Roy stood by.
"Yes, yes, this is Ida! Who is this?" came a harsh, demanding voice in reply to my friendly hello. Explaining who I was and that I would like her permission to call her daily, I was met with a "Harrummmppphh," and then silence. I was new at the job and unsure what to say next to this unusual woman, when she suddenly asked, "How old are you, girlie?"
"Well, Miss Kay, I'm 30," I stammered, glad to have the silence broken. "A baby," she muttered, obviously irritated. "OK, girlie, got any children?" Her gruff voice and bluntness grated on my nerves and was throwing me off balance. "Uh, yes, Miss Kay. I have three boys. Do you have any children?" Ignoring my question, she threw another at me. "Do you believe in God, little girl?"
The lady definitely had a firm opinion on the subject of God, I was sure from her tone. I just wasn't sure what that opinion was! And I was very sure my answer was going to be the key to her acceptance or refusal of my future phone calls. Company policy was avoidance of religion and politics in conversations with our patients, but a small voice within urged me to an honest reply. Although I am Wiccan, my tradition does believe in God.
(cont. next post)