Who Holds The Chaplain? (Part II)

Who Holds The Chaplain? (Part II) - Saying "Goodbye"

Welcome to a series of reflections on my experience as a chaplain-in-training thus far. Each post will contain a brief written reflection paired with a 10-min vLog. I hope you enjoy.

View Who Holds The Chaplain (Part I) here.

One of the things about chaplaincy that I'm learning to deal with is saying "goodbye"--

Goodbye to patients. Goodbye to families. Goodbye to those who are transitioning from this life. Good to the families of those who are transitioning from this life. Goodbye to those who are (thankfully) going home or to a less critical facility.

Goodbye.

Over the past couple of weeks, I've built relationships with some folks who I've had to say goodbye to. Mostly good goodbyes. I recently said "goodbye" to Ms. Jane*, my home-girl in her fifties who I spent a lot of time with, having in-room bible studies and just all-around great conversation. She left over a week ago to go to a physical rehab facility--one step closer to home. I'm happy for her, but I miss her. I walk by her room in the hospital and I get sad because she would make my day.

But this is the job. This is the work. So I go home to my empty apartment, and I force myself to make peace with the loneliness of saying "goodbye," and I move on with my life...sort of.

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