Council for Health and Human Service Ministries

Word and Deed: Thoughts on Faith-Based Leadership

Anybody See My Shoes?

Shirley NelsonHow many times have you asked that question, or had it asked of you? I'm sure it rings familiar in many households as kids hurry off to school; parents prepare to depart for work, church, the gym, or a myriad of other activities; or when senior citizens grappling with dementia or Alzheimer's disease search in frustration, not realizing that they're already wearing them. You'll most likely listen to someone say "Anybody see my shoes?" with a different ear after you've read Dorothy Shelly's book of poetry: Anybody See My Shoes? Poetic Reflections from A Chaplain.

"Take off your shoes, the place where you are standing is holy ground," said the voice of God to Moses. This is the introduction to Shelly's book, and she hopes to convey that God still speaks those words today. She writes as she witnesses the effects that the lingering stages dementia and Alzheimer's have on her patients, their loved ones, and chaplains--oftentimes wrought with complex emotions and feelings of bewilderment: "It is my hope that they, regardless of their present life situation, recognize every moment as sacred. It is holy ground; like the place where Moses stood before the burning bush and was privileged to hear God's words....My hope is that these humble writings stimulate your interest and curiosity. My hope is that, with the eye of your imagination and the ear of your heart, you see and hear the persons within each story. My sincere hope is that these writings will nudge your memories to come alive as you, too, accept the invitation, 'Take off your shoes.'"

Most of us are all too familiar with the overwhelming impact of losing a loved one to death--timely or otherwise. However, many of us have not yet taken the path of releasing loved ones to Alzheimer's or dementia, losses that requires us to witness their demise while still in the familiar setting of the body. Each of Shelly's poems about this experience of loss is poignant and provocative, stimulating the imagination with visions of life and levity as well as sadness and death. Her work will allow you to rejoice in the awareness that God's grace is sufficient all the time.

Shelly is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and a chaplain at Phoebe Richland Health Care Center in Richland, PA, an affiliate of Phoebe Ministries in Allentown, PA. Much of her ministry with the elderly focuses on issues of transition, change, and loss. I had the pleasure of meeting her at our 69th Annual Meeting in Louisville, KY earlier this year. Quiet and unassuming, she spoke graciously about the book of poems she had written to reflect her experiences and to encourage care givers. As we talked, I noted the twinkle in her eye and I had the distinct impression that this was a work of poised sensitivity and intelligence and relished the opportunity to read it.

Here is an excerpt from one of many delicate renderings that may have you kicking off your shoes and dining at the table of hope to refresh and renew your faith during those incomprehensible circumstances that weigh heavily on your spirit.

The Carpenter
My father was a carpenter,
She said spontaneously.
Words came from out of nowhere.
So was my father.
The chaplain responded,
Merely to spur conversation.
And so was Jesus, she exhorted,
And so was Mary's Joseph.
Words came no more from either.
Just hallowed silence, matching smiles,
And a twinkle in her eye.

Shirley Nelson

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