I'm about a week into the CPE Chaplaincy Internship at Rady Children's Hospital. As you have already read, the interns are all from varying backgrounds. It's been fun the last few days, all the interns are very curious about the others beliefs, denominations, how a worship service works, everything. We did a meditation together the other day by reading through a Psalm. I couldn't help but think about how I could probably count all the people at Talbot who would feel comfortable doing this spiritual exercise on one hand. The fact that I am completely comfortable is one of the reasons why I feel like this is where I ought to be. And I know I will be helping people in great need.
I am by far the youngest; probably have about a decade on the next person and most others are in their 40's. If I were at a normal hospital I may have felt at a disadvantage because of this. I have already felt the ageism of being a young chaplain when I was going around with Pastor Curt in Whittier. But at a Children's Hospital I feel like my age is now an advantage. I'm used to working with Jr. High and High School aged students and this will be much the same in that regard.
I said I would be getting to help people in great need. The despair is written all over the faces of the people when you walk down the hall. I have barely been in the hospital except for a tour and you couldn't walk through a unit without seeing the familiar sight of red eyes and the lumbering shuffle of a parent with the weight of life and death on their back. They all look for a place to hide, a bench or elevator, away from the children to whom they say everything will be ok.
It makes me sad to think about but excited to know that I will help.
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