Friday, August 08, 2008

Thinking about a ritual (Christian)

Wed. morning at a service for the Feast of the Transfiguration, I was struck by the idea that the transfiguration was an ordination or commissioning of Jesus into his full-fledged ministry. My thought was that I want to be commissioned as a caregiver.

I'm not ready yet; I'm not over "I don't want to do this." But when I am, I wish for a ritual by which my taking on this new role in life would be recognized. It does feel to me like becoming a different person and I want to mark that. It is certainly as big a change in who I am as marriage was.

Most of all I want something that will make me more able to feel that God is with me.

2 comments:

Spouse said...

Before you don the robes and become ordained, it might be good to take a few classes. And then walk the walk a bit. As I remember--even College Professors have to earn their stripes !!!
Family Caregiver Alliance
National Parkinson's Assoc
Alzheimer's Assoc
LBD Assoc
The list of places to get help and learn is much longer yet.
I think if you would expend 1/2 the amount of energy getting into this "new role" as you are spending trying to avoid the unavoidable, you and everyone around you would be much happier---
Di

Pam said...

I'm actually trained as a spiritual director (Sursum Corda Program) and as a Community of Hope Volunteer Lay Chaplain (though I practice only as a spiritual director, and that on a very small scale). I've read carefully the articles for professionals on the LBD Association web site, but the best education I am getting is reading the LBD caring spouses Yahoo group.