hospital chapel worship

Today I went back to the hospital for worship in the chapel. Arrived in time for the 9:30 a.m. Roman Catholic mass (which was nice), and the 10:15 a.m. Protestant service (which was non-existant). Interesting, about 15 RC's attended -- patients and staff alike (paid and volunteer) -- and there was a poignant moment during prayer requests when one young mother asked us to pray for her son, "who was born too soon." I did not take communion; would have been interesting to see if the priest would have refused me, as he knows I am not RC, but I did not want to push the envelope (story of my life!). Then I met another hospital chaplain, who was to lead the Protestant service, but after 10 minutes, no one had come (and no one had signed up to come, as patients usually do, especially since many need help getting to the chapel) -- worship was cancelled and all 3 of us chaplains (including my supervisor) went home. Oh, well. They say 6 or 7 in Protestant worship is a good number. Don't know why I feel I have to count.... Also thought about how I would feel after planning worship, if nobody came.... Realistically probably just as glad to have the free time, but would also like not to take it personally. My uncle the doctor told me this afternoon that some patients will yell, "Get out!" when I attempt to go into their rooms; that I also need to learn not to take personally.

Big news at home last night/today was the falling down of a closet clothes rack. My folks each have a closet of their own, and they have each appropriated a closet in each of the other bedrooms (lots of clothes -- which I guess is a good thing if you are easy on your clothes/don't wear them out, and if you stay the same size...). But it really stressed mom out, cuz she knew dad would have to repair it -- so I moved the clothes around and tried to get mom to calm down. Dad did fine with the repair, and now we are assessing each outfit (I mean, mom has easily 5 times as many clothes as me!) before we return it to the closet or relegate it to the attic (even more clothes storage there!). Anyway, there's an issue of some clothes that no longer fit her, are too big for her (since she lost the weight with the cancer/chemo) that she's hanging onto for me, in case I get small enough to wear them.... Trying not to make this about me! Off to do some more reading before we start seeing patients tomorrow. Did my learning covenant on Saturday, which is not due until Tuesday, so that's something! Later.