A STRANGE TRANSITION by Eleanor Shepherd

 2021 is finally over. It was such a disappointment in so many ways. We hoped that it would herald the end of the pandemic and a return to normal life, but as the year wore on and wave after wave of Covid-19 variants arrived, despite the rapid development of a vaccination against the virus. Globally we seemed to be fighting a losing battle.

While the number of cases decreased and restrictions were lifted in some countries, at the same time they were spiraling in other countries. No matter what strategy was applied, the disease still managed to force people to surrender to the dictates it imposed.

The atmosphere of fear engendered by this stubborn enemy, was exacerbated by disastrous climatic events like raging wild fires and home and income destroying floods. In addition, there arose doubts about our ability to practice justice, highlighted in headlines about racial profiling and inhumane treatment of minorities, revelations of the manner in which we failed to provide adequately for the needs of our aging population and the heartbreaking discovery of unmarked graves of children who had lost their lives in the attempts to alter their identities through cruel indoctrination called education. The world of social justice and freedom for all seemed to dissipate before our eyes and we began to have serious questions about the meaning of our lives.

Acts of kindness gave us courage to not totally lose heart in the midst of this maelstrom of misery. In spite of all that was happening there were people who were taking seriously their responsibilities, particularly in the health care field and they became the heroes. I saw evidence of their steady and heartwarming dedication to duty as I personally had occasion to visit hospital emergency rooms in both Winnipeg and Montreal.

When at the height of the pandemic, I found myself alone in the waiting room of an Emergency unit in a Winnipeg hospital, I watched in amazement as at least once every hour a nurse (often male) would walk through the waiting room, stopping to talk to each person. He would ask if their condition had become any worse in the last hour. If necessary, he would take vital signs. If the patient was thirsty, he offered them water and if they were hungry would provide a snack. If they were cold, he would bring a blanket for them.

These nurses reminded me of the folks that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 25 who cared for those in need, without realizing that in so doing, they were serving Jesus. I realized that evening that in all that was going on in our world, God was right in the centre of it all.

My hunch was confirmed when in late autumn and early winter, I had further occasions to visit the Emergency Unit at a large Montreal hospital. On one of the visits as my husband, Glen and I sat waiting for my turn to see the doctor, Glen noticed that one of the people who was at the triage desk was speaking to a woman who had been treated and was ready to go home. She was alone and elderly and seemed a little confused by the environment. It was late in the evening and she had no idea where to find a taxi or a bus to get home. The employee asked his colleague to look after things for a few minutes, then he accompanied the woman to the place where the taxis were available outside the hospital. It took five or ten minutes for him to be able to get the lady into a taxi and safely on her way home. When he returned, Glen went over to his desk and he expressed his appreciation for the way that this employee had gone above and beyond duty to care for the lady in this way. Again, we observed the kindness in the midst of chaos and confusion provided by someone who cared.

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On another visit to the same Emergency Room, I watched as one of the nurses caring for the patients attended to a woman who was brought in by ambulance. Her distraught cries revealed loneliness and fear of her unknown fate. A nurse quietly stood by her stretcher, listening. Then, in a gentle voice, he assured her she would be cared for and he was there for her. She seemed to sense a peace coming from him and settled down, quietly awaiting the treatment she needed. I had seen this same nurse use that same gentle tone with other patients. It was a gift to have someone like that in such a place.

These folks reminded me that although 2021 was a difficult year in so many ways, we were not forsaken. God was present and acting through the lives of kind people and He will not desert us. We can enter 2022 confident He will be with us. 

  
    I would like to offer you a Happy New Year and with it give you a song sung by our daughter, a five times Juno nominated jazz singer. Enjoy! Here is the link:  The Blessing

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