Pandemic Parables: Here Comes The Sun
Pandemic Parables: Here Comes The Sun
The Beatle’s song “Here Comes The Sun” was sung as a message to his staff by the CEO of the wonderful hospital in Frederick, Maryland where I work as a Resident Chaplain until the end of August.
“You’ve got to listen to this. Just sit there and listen” said my fellow chaplain when I came in from doing my rounds at the end of last week. “I was so moved when I heard it. I was in tears.”
She clicked on the link that had been sent to all the staff. Our CEO’s distinctive voice sang, and sang well those lyrics that were so apt for this season:
“Little darling, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here...”
And for a while it felt like the sun had indeed peeked out, albeit through dark clouds.
It is true that the number of virus patients that had previously taken a dip have increased. But not by an overwhelming amount. As of yesterday (Wednesday April 29th) the number of deaths in the hospital remained the same at twenty two, but there are now thirty seven patients with the virus and three under investigation who are also isolated.
One of the sunbeams through the dark clouds, though, is that fifty two Covid-19 patients have now been sprung from the hospital virus free. Nine of those were previously on respirators. This is an answer to fervent prayer, thank you Lord!
It also reflects the dedicated care they get at our hospital. Hallelluia!
My biggest Hallelluia is that my friend, the compassionate, huge-hearted Hospice nurse practitioner who was felled by the Coronavirus, and was hospitalized for five days, was one of those released. She is now at home recovering. She is young and healthy but was run over by this Covid monster with all the force of a runaway eighteen wheeler truck. She says do not take this pandemic lightly. This was no heavy cold or intense flu that she had.
It was more of a roaring flame throwing dragon than an annoying gecko.
However she is getting stronger by the day and is looking forward to being back with her team, once again caring for those who are dying and for their grieving relatives.
More rays of light are the way that volunteers have come forward and have created Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the hospital personnel. The supply of the normal disposable gowns is very low. However a senior nurse who used to be a master seamstress created a pattern for the gowns and distributed it to an abundance of willing hands. Many additional gowns have now been made that can be laundered. Masks and face shields have also been churned out in great numbers.
God bless every one of those willing, talented, determined, much-appreciated volunteers!
When fluid resistant gowns are needed another solution has been sourced. Short sleeved waterproof capes - the kind that some hairdressers wear. Worn with veterinary gloves that go up to the elbow - presumably used for extracting stuck calves from cows. Added disposable gloves give an extra layer of protection.
The Emergency Department Manager modeled them during a huddle the other morning taking a Superman stance with the cape furling behind her, which brought smiles to the faces of the weary workers.
As she said: “These are clothes for heroes. There will be no black garbage sacks used here!”
The medical staff at the hospital truly are incredible. They have adapted to the constantly changing protocol with grace and courage. They are called, dedicated, and selfless.
I admire them more each day.
In the CEOs latest message he said that we were on week six on what he had always thought would be a ten week journey. He talked about how proud he was of the resilience and fortitude of all the staff, defining fortitude as “courage in the face of adversity.”
I see that definition in action daily in the hospital as nurses wear capes to work.
We still have a long way to go in this virus marathon. Maryland’s Governor Hogan said today that the curve hasn’t peaked in the State. Soon, he believed, but not yet.
Today, up on the isolation wing of the third floor that I visit daily, there was sadness. Three patients were approaching their final days.
Down on the first floor, however right next to the chaplain’s temporary office, is the birthing center. It is overflowing with new life. The opening notes of the lullaby that is played over the loudspeakers at each new arrival is heard frequently.
Twins came yesterday, triplets the day before.
Each baby is a ray of light, a promise that there is a future after this pandemic.
Each day as I walk through the hospital. I get a visual reminder of hope’s light piercing despair’s darkness.
Right next to where staff clock in and out on the second floor is a very large photograph called Mr Wade’s Morning Sunshine. It is by my photographer friend, Bruce Saunders and shows sunbeams piercing through stormy clouds.
To me it encapsulates where we are in this extraordinary season. We have come through dark storms that have rocked our worlds and changed life as we know it. The tough times are not ended. But everywhere God’s grace can be seen giving hope.
Kindness, generosity, bravery, and courage have been shown by those inside the hospital. As they have also been shown by those outside, those who are staying at home, who are sewing, praying, cooking, caring.
Together we are creating shafts of light in the darkness of these times.
David, the shepherd boy, singer of Psalms, and warrior king created a principle that I believe applies to us now. (You can read about it in 1 Samuel 30.)
In a nutshell - while David and his mighty men were away, an enemy army raided their camp. Their women, children, and possessions were captured, including David’s two wives.
David and his men were devastated.
David asked the Lord if he should pursue and was given the green light. Some of his men were exhausted, however, and when they came to a perilous ravine opted to stay behind to look after and protect the camp. The others went on and routed the enemy, freeing all their beloved family members.
Some rabble rousers wanted to keep the main part of the plunder for those who had fought in the front lines.
David was not having that.
He was adamant!
He instituted a rule that would last “from that day to this” saying that whoever stayed behind to look after the camp would share the plunder equally with those that fought in the front lines.
Staying at home, and caring from afar is as powerful in this season as wearing a cape and gloves.
Thank you for allowing your world to become so dramatically constricted.
Thank you for all your domestic sacrifices.
Let us all hang on - even at times if it is by our last nerve. The thaw is coming.
As the Beatles wrote and our CEO sang
“Little darling, I feel the ice is slowly melting
Little darling it seems like years since it’s been clear.”
Here comes the sun...
Through dark clouds, yes. And perhaps with many more dark clouds ahead. But the rays of light, the birth of babies, and the resilience of the human spirit let us know that we will get through this together.
Yes indeed.
Eventually the dark clouds will roll away.
May it be soon. Oh dear Lord, may it be soon.
“Sun sun sun. Let it shine...”
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