Sisters of Bon Secours
A Day in the Life of a Candidate
Reflections of Chris Webb, candidate since January, 2005

There is something different about waking up today. The sun seems brighter, the breeze gentler, and the songs of the birds remind me once again of the beauty of God's creation. After a few quiet moments of just being with God, my day begins. I drive to the hospital where I am a chaplain, reflecting on the ministry God has called me to. As I walk from the parking lot to the hospital, I am reminded of my oneness with God and all those I work with every day. I enter the Same Day Surgery (SDS) unit greeting the staff, members of the surgery area, and the patients around me, aware of those who need a smile or a little pat on the back at the moment I say good morning. I am there to do just that. As the morning goes on I will visit patients on the floors.

Yesterday, I sat with a family who had decided to sign a "Do Not Resuscitate" order for their family member. I walked this journey with husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather and will continue to do so as long as I am needed. At noon I attend daily Mass, grateful to have this opportunity to pray for the patients I have seen and thank God for all the goodness I received this morning. After lunch I make a run through SDS again, and find an elderly person waiting for surgery. She is there alone. I sit with her holding her hand as we pray for God to guide the hand of the doctors and give her strength to accept the challenges that the day brings.

My afternoon is filled with activity visiting the Renal center where I visit with some of the dialysis patients. Their lives on dialysis have taken so much from them. I hear the frustration, the concerns, and often the isolation. After one more stop to see a home healthcare patient, I head home stopping to do some grocery shopping on the way. If I get home first I will fix dinner and then get in a bike ride before spending some quiet time praying with the community and maybe watching a little TV.

As this wonderful day settles into evening, I thank God for the graces to say yes at the call of my name this day and every day. It is great to be alive and to serve God with the Sisters of Bon Secours.