We never know where and when understanding will come into our lives. This week we celebrated Veterans Day and Monday I came in and was proud to be a part of the program we did for our veterans here at HHH. Wednesday, like so many of who help or work in health services, I worked and was able to talk to a few of the veterans that I know about their experiences during WWII, the Korean war and even Vietnam. I know you all hear those stories too. The heartache and the loss brought to mind by the heartache and loss we are facing now in this time of a pandemic.

Trauma, is one of those things that doesn’t always soften with time. Healing from trauma is complicated and messy. We experience this here among the other staff and residents as well as in ourselves. Nevertheless, healing can happen. And from my perspective it takes more than Talking or family and friends to facilitate it. Community is just as important.

Last night my son participated in a culminating performance (on zoom) of adapted Greek tragedies and poems written and performed by veterans who had seen battle. It was through a program called Warrior Bards and it was organized through the California State Colleges. After the program there was a chance for the veterans, teachers and audience to have a question and answer time. It was moving. As a chaplain I could see the value of the shared experience between the teachers and bards. As a mother I could experience how healing it was for my son and family.

We, the other chaplains and I, have been thinking about what we will do after the pandemic to heal from the trauma some of us are experiencing now. We don’t have any definitive answers but know that we are thinking, brainstorming and looking for ways that we can help after. This will take the whole community. We all will have a part to play. Last night I saw one program that I would like to adapt. In the meantime we go on. Here is an excerpt of my son’s poem:

Separation

We Wait.
We get really good at waiting
Professional you might say
Every day we wake up, get ready, and head to formation
Where, We Wait.

15 minutes prior to 15 minutes prior to the 15 min prior – has us standing by half the day
And, We Wait.

Counting down the days until we get home

As we wait for…..whatever comes next know that you are not alone. We are here together and there will come a time of healing. As we move closer to the holidays and dream of all the things we will miss, the things we have lost we can also dream of the days when it will be our turn to heal. Heal from the separation, loss and heartache. Together we can grow by our commonality with all who experience this time.

This is the lesson my son, the warrior bard, has taught me.