Displacement.
I’ve been thinking a lot about that word ever since my last sabbatical. We had just come out of COVID — a time of great displacement. I began then to notice and reflect on the many places and times – both in the present, and in our past – that displacement occurs. Whether from a routine, or a community of friends, or a job, or what have you. That mental exercise has continued within me to this day.
Today I am returning a displaced book that belongs to a friend and that I have kept far too long. The book is entitled, “Just Breathe” and was written collectively by the employees of the hospital in St. Cloud – each page a different employee’s offering as together they looked back on their shared experience. Today I read portions of it for one last time. Tears were streaming down my face.
Here’s one example:
“I was with one of the first COVID patients whose family had decided to withdraw care. It was very early in our COVID battle and we hadn’t yet implemented Skype tablets for video chats. Family chose not to come because they said they “didn’t want to remember him like that.”. They told me what he liked – hobbies, music and interests. I stayed with him, holding his hand at his bedside and listening to his favorite music, while his best friends and family called to say their final goodbyes” —ICU RN
As I read, my mind drifts back to the questioning by members of the decisions that I and the church council made during those times. Some members were angry that they had been displaced from their building. I regret many things about that time, but I find myself thankful that our congregational leadership team came together to do whatever we could to lessen the burden on those in our local hospital.
And I find myself now – thinking about how we all have been changed forever, through…
Displacement.
Leave a Reply