The patient, her mother and I have had a relationship at the hospital for close to two years.
The day we met most recently, the mother was extremely anxious that her daughter’s illness had possibily returned. “I’m tired, all my strength, energy, prayers, have been focused on her the past two years, I feel empty”.
Nomi (the spiritual care provider), asks – What could give you some strength right now?
Mother- “ To dance, to sing, I love to and I miss it
Nomi says to the daughter, “I promise I will bring your mother back in 5 minutes”
Nomi takes the mother by her hand, walks down the hall, goes into a private area, closes the door, to respect the mother’s religious and general privacy.
Nomi takes both her hands and says, sing from your soul, your heart, dance freely and with your full being.
The mother breaks out in full song, and dance, holding my hands, we dance, she cries, she laughs, she smiles, and when she is finished, she gives me a hug, and we return to the daughter, uncle and the ward.”
Here is an example as to touching the spirit and the soul, crossing all cultural boundaries, being with the person in their time of need.
