Finding courage
The following passage was written by Texas Children’s Chaplain Pam Krinock.
These days it takes an extra dose of courage to walk through the doors of work. It’s more than the potential exposure to COVID-19. We are fortunate to have the protective equipment we need and are learning more about how we can prevent the spread of the virus. Still, we must acknowledge that health care workers are vulnerable and that we worry about members of our households. That’s why many call us heroes. It’s a bit much to live up to when all we are really doing is coming to work. Yet it does take courage.
The need for personal courage goes beyond the showdown with the pandemic. By showing up for work, we commit to taking on the problems of others. Caregiver fatigue, which is always an issue for family members, is sky high due to the social isolation they are feeling. Therefore, they question our policies, they ask for exceptions, and their need for help and relief is real and intense. We have also been working with limited staff for several months. There are fewer people on site to call on when we need support. For people working in some roles, getting used to telecommuting is challenging. Some say it’s like working with your hands tied behind your back. And, those working labor pool shifts are taking on different roles. All of this takes an immense amount of personal energy.
Ernest Hemingway says, “Courage is grace under pressure.” Each day I am awed at the amount of grace I see around me from the teams at Texas Children’s. We all are working in the face of one major stressor while carrying our own second, third or fourth. These stressors can be anything from financial pressures, health concerns, restrictive social measures, political and social unrest, or another natural disaster. It’s a lot! Yet patience, caring, professionalism, support for one another, and smiles are abound.
When we don’t do things perfectly (and we often don’t), we can take comfort in the words of Mary Ann Radmacher, “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says, I’ll try again tomorrow.” Giving ourselves and those we rely on grace is a sign of courage.
The work of caring for our patients and families is never done. When I leave work each day I have a personal ritual. I give thanks that my work is fulfilling and important, but that I am not indispensable. I give thanks for the amazing team that will take care of our patients while I am gone. And I remember the words of Victor Hugo, “Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones, and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.”