Today I had a port flush scheduled to keep my apparatus in good working order. Add in the bloodwork ordered by my primary doctor to check B levels and sugar levels, and a trip to the finance office to settle accounts. Good thing they give parking validations.
I run my various errands, completed the lab work, and was headed out the door when I glimpsed a sign for the Interfaith Chapel. Curious. How often have I come here and not seen that sign before? I would be interested in knowing what the chapel is like. There is a meditation room (aka closet) in the infusion center, but it would be nice to know if there is a more robust facility that could offer something a little more comforting. I follow the signs.
I turn down one hall after another. I am beginning to wonder if I will get lost in the catacombs of the sprawling institution. Perhaps I should drop breadcrumbs? Then I realize I can follow the signs back. Though they are a bit few and far between. In good faith, I just keep walking, surprised when I find myself passing the entrance to Miner Medical Library. Goodness, I must be halfway across campus by now!
Finally, I turn one more corner and find myself in a wood paneled hall where the entrance to the chapel sits. I enter and the room is inviting. The ceiling is vaulted like a church might be. There are comfortable seats, a piano and an organ, a small platform and several tables. At the front of the room is a huge mosaic of Psalm 23 that sprawls the full height of the room. By the entrance is a small table with pen and paper where you can write a prayer and leave it. Along one wall chairs face the wall, like the wailing wall in Jerusalem. At the back of the room another table offers small prayer stones that can be prayed over and either dropped into a jar or taken with the pray-er.
Yes, this is a sacred space at least for Christians and probably Jews. I am not so sure about other faiths. But I am comfortable here. I read the notices of the services offered weekly. I am glad to know there is a regular schedule. I sit for a moment in the silent room, absorbing the peace and praying for a few people who come to mind. It was worth the long walk. And on those days when I am less able to navigate, I suspect I could call for the cart to transport me there and back.
Today I do not need help. Today I navigate back to the main lobby under my own steam, grateful for having discovered this beautiful chapel and determined to put it to good use as often as I am able. Now, where do I go to sign up for those free chair massages?
I run my various errands, completed the lab work, and was headed out the door when I glimpsed a sign for the Interfaith Chapel. Curious. How often have I come here and not seen that sign before? I would be interested in knowing what the chapel is like. There is a meditation room (aka closet) in the infusion center, but it would be nice to know if there is a more robust facility that could offer something a little more comforting. I follow the signs.
I turn down one hall after another. I am beginning to wonder if I will get lost in the catacombs of the sprawling institution. Perhaps I should drop breadcrumbs? Then I realize I can follow the signs back. Though they are a bit few and far between. In good faith, I just keep walking, surprised when I find myself passing the entrance to Miner Medical Library. Goodness, I must be halfway across campus by now!
Finally, I turn one more corner and find myself in a wood paneled hall where the entrance to the chapel sits. I enter and the room is inviting. The ceiling is vaulted like a church might be. There are comfortable seats, a piano and an organ, a small platform and several tables. At the front of the room is a huge mosaic of Psalm 23 that sprawls the full height of the room. By the entrance is a small table with pen and paper where you can write a prayer and leave it. Along one wall chairs face the wall, like the wailing wall in Jerusalem. At the back of the room another table offers small prayer stones that can be prayed over and either dropped into a jar or taken with the pray-er.
Yes, this is a sacred space at least for Christians and probably Jews. I am not so sure about other faiths. But I am comfortable here. I read the notices of the services offered weekly. I am glad to know there is a regular schedule. I sit for a moment in the silent room, absorbing the peace and praying for a few people who come to mind. It was worth the long walk. And on those days when I am less able to navigate, I suspect I could call for the cart to transport me there and back.
Today I do not need help. Today I navigate back to the main lobby under my own steam, grateful for having discovered this beautiful chapel and determined to put it to good use as often as I am able. Now, where do I go to sign up for those free chair massages?
