It was a Good Friday

The clouds became darker and finished closing gaps where the blue sky that had been shining all day peered through. Snow began to flurry and the clock stuck 3. I looked down from the mountain at the peaceful, snowy layout of Denver. Ironic that the snow decided to start now. 3pm, Good Friday, when we remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. 

70 of us, ranging from 15-70 years old had started that morning from St. Frances Cabrini to walk 20 miles to the Mother Cabrini Shrine where we prayed the stations of the cross in honor of the sacrifice Jesus made for us greater than 2000 years ago. Mostly teens present and a walk full of incredible people, amazing stories, and new friends.

We prayed the stations at the top of the mountain: "The 5th Station: Simon helps Jesus carry his cross". 

Jesus humbled himself to become fully human and take on all of our sins. As He carried that cross in His humble state, He needed help. None of us can carry the crosses of life by ourselves. 

 "We are the church". The people, not the building. It is the relationship building with one another that helps us carry out our faith because we are supported and loved by these people. This was not 20 miles of silent contemplation, but 20 miles full of smiles, laughs, conversation, and being present to each other. Through this shared experience I had the opportunity to walk with  different people and to hear their stories; people I may not have otherwise had the chance to converse with.


 ...and were we all similar or had the same interests?...no, but we all walked holding a faith in Christ, a desire to grow in that faith, and wanted to get to the top.

I think a lot of times we go to church and go through the motions to say we were there. But walking in faith is about walking in community and growing with the people around you. It's like the last post where I talked about getting to know your coworkers. It's easier to support them at work if you know where they come from. Think about your faith. It's much easier to help someone overcome trials and help carry their cross if you know what it is. In turn, if you are trying to carry your own cross, you can't do it by yourself. 

Find ways to put yourself out there, engage with your faith community, and find simple experiences to share with others. We're all on this journey together, don't  try to walk it alone.

God can be found in all things.

Have a blessed and Happy Easter!

Do You Know Them?

It was a beautiful bluebird day up on the mountain Friday where I met with a group of coworkers for a ski day. I'm newer to the unit and really wanted to build relationships with some of these people and put myself in situations outside of the stress and chaos of a work day. Sitting there and chatting I found myself asking questions you might ask anyone when you first meet...

What do you do for fun? 
Where are you from?
How long have you been a nurse?....

While I have worked side by side with these people for months, collaborated on patient care, helped resuscitate and heal, there were basic things I did not know.

What makes these people get out of bed in the morning and do what they do? Where did they come from? What is their story?

One told me his story about how he is working on a documentary that he started after biking across the country between jobs. He hopes to learn and build his own sustainable home and retire to the mountains one day. He has been skiing since he was a kid and grew up in the mountains of Colorado... 

Look around at the people you work with and spend 80% of your weekly time. Do you really know them at all? What if we took two minutes every day to get to know something new and unique about those people. Like them or not,  a look into their life helps you understand who they are, why they do what they do, and how they can be encouraged and lifted up on a day to day basis. It helps you connect on a deeper level.

Wouldn't you have more fun at work if you worked with your friends? You can't be friends until you know something about them below the surface. 

Try it.

You're In Good Hands

I think anxiety is one of the worst feelings in the world. Your body clenches up, your mind races, and there seems to be no rest ahead, no solution or light at the end of the tunnel. I encounter many people/patients in a week that carry this cross. Some, daily, and others simply under the given circumstances. 

One patient in particular came in struggling to breathe, feeling tight in the chest, and scared of possible diagnosis/outcomes. Test and procedures were performed quickly to rule out cardiac problems, the hustle and bustle only adding to the stress she was feeling at that time. As people cleared out of the room I sat at her bedside to speak with her and help calm her fears. I assured her that if anything bad was happening that she was in the best place for that to happen. Having full faith in my team I promised her she would be well taken care of and that as her nurse I would take good care of her. 

I noticed a red rosary that she grasped tightly in her hands. "I love your rosary" I commented. She looked down and gave a slight smile. I touched her shoulder and looked her in the eyes, "You are in good hands". 
"I know, I guess. I've never been here before..."
"No," I stopped her and touched her hands and motioned to her rosary. "No matter what happens, you are in great hands". 
She nodded and smiled. "Yes, yes I am," she said. I left to get pain medication for her as she settled back on the stretcher.

In life and in the hardest moments sometimes we need to be reminded that when God is in charge we are in good hands. We may never understand it all, but it all happens for a reason and will all work out in the end. 

Let Him take your anxiety. Let Him take your fear. Let go and let God.