Blessing of the Hands

I've worked at St. Mark's Hospital as a Physical Therapist for 6 1/2 years. Day in and day out I'm given the opportunity to literally and figuratively touch other's lives. For the past 10 years St. Mark's has organized an event called "Blessing of the Hands". It happens during Hospital Week or now termed Employee Appreciation Week. The employees are given an opportunity to have their hands blessed by a number of different people from various religions. St. Mark's hospital is Episcopalian but they have a wonderful pastoral care program where they train people from all sorts of religious faiths. I don't consider myself a religious person, but I do consider myself a spiritual person. In the hospital, where people are sick, and perhaps near death or dying, it's' comforting to know that these people are available to patients, friends, and family members. They are also there for employees as often it can be emotionally difficult to work in this environment.

I chose to become a physical therapist because I wanted to help people, but I really believe that over the last 6 1/2 years my patients have helped me and taught me more than I will ever teach them. I've become a better person, more caring, more patient. I've made lasting friendships with patients and their families over the years.

Last Wednesday May 11 I was able to participate in the Blessing of the Hands ceremony. It's only the second time I've done so over the past few years, and I'm not exactly sure why, because it's something I need to do yearly. It is such a powerful experience. My hands were washed with water and they were given a blessing by 6 different individuals of various faiths. Each prayer was unique and special to me. As I said, I'm not religious but spiritual and I felt the presence of another Power that day. I was overcome emotionally and feel truly blessed that I am given the opportunity to touch lives and be touched each day.

The last blessing was performed by Arapaho healer Dorian Two Horse Sanchez. 

Lions and Tigers and....... Dinosaurs, Oh My!

Hogle Zoo opened their dinosaur exhibit this Friday and I thought Ry would love to go. Wrong!!!! She hated it. The dinosaurs were rather realistic looking and to a 3 year old that's terrifying. Easton on the other hand thought it was fun to roar back at them. He's 15 months old now and thinks all animals say "grrrr".

The ferocious T-Rex

On a funnier note, I caught this giraffe tongue tied with this pole.

Where were you?

I watched President Obama's address to the nation Monday night to announce the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Throughout the broadcast the reporters kept saying this is going to be one of those moments that we all will remember where we were and what we were doing at the time. I'm not so sure I will with this particular moment but I do remember a few events through my life and thought I would post where and what I was doing, as my memory is not the best.

May 2, 2011

I was at home, bathing the kids and getting them ready for bed. My friend Michelle Rios sent me a text to break the news. I was able to watch Obama's address to the nation.

September 11, 2001

I was a first year P.T. student at the University of Utah. We had a lab early in the morning, when I first heard. We then had to sit through pathophysiology class. There were no TVs in the building. I know people went next door to the University Park Hotel to watch the footage. It was so surreal.

As a 3rd year P.T. student I did an internship at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, NY. I was able to visit Ground Zero and following are pictures I took from the site. I'm so glad I was able to visit this site and pay respect to those that died. 

April 3, 2004

USA flag signed by visitors

You can see the windows blown out in this adjacent building. Chilling.

This is the subway station right next to Ground Zero. 

This cross was built from remaining metal from building. 

April 16, 2007

Virginia Tech Massacre. I was working as a P.T. at St. Mark's Hospital. I saw the news on the t.v. in the patient's room. 

April 20, 1999

Columbine shooting. I remember I was at a friend's house but don't recall whose. Saw the news on t.v. I was in college at the University of Utah. Pretty sure I was with teammates. 

April 19, 1995

Oklahoma City bombing. I was a Junior at Brighton HS. I just remember reading the newspaper and I distinctly remember this photo of the fireman carrying the baby. 

January 28, 1986

Challenger Space Shuttle Explosion.  I think I was in the 2nd grade at Chaparral Elementary School. I can remember we were going to watch the launch, but don't remember watching it. I just remember the teachers crying and the sadness of the event. 

I know there are so many other horrific and/or historic events like natural disasters including earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, tornados, etc, but I don't recall exactly what I was doing or where I was.    I suppose I should keep a journal so when Ryley and Easton ask me about those things I can remember. Some things are, as the events above, hard to forget, and I wasn't directly impacted, i.e. had a family member or myself in the event. I feel for those who were and hope that they can somehow find peace in these terrible tragedies. May God bless you.