On the Way to Wonder

Sr. Wantabee was at the hospital today. During the morning “huddle” with the other chaplains, it so happened that only women were present. The conversation turned to feminism as one of the women had been confronted by a man the day before about her “feminist” approach to life. The man, himself studying to be a chaplain, refuses to read all those labels that define a person on their charts. She, with us, pondered how anyone can engage with another human without applying labels. One woman decided that the man must be white and male and hence has never experienced being an oppressed minority. We chewed the topic for awhile and realized how deeply our feminism impacts our interpretation of life.
Sr. Wantabee headed to the floor. Her last visit was an eighty year old woman who had been in a car accident. The driver of the other car had tail lights covered with mud and snow and so by the time the woman realized he was not moving, it was too late. She lifted her gown to show her bruised body that matched her bruised face. But then her face turned to smile about her family that was supporting her. She had been married 58 years, and in 24 of them had twelve children, all living, and two that have passed. She now has over twenty grandchildren and about ten great grandkids. The physical therapist walked in so Sr. Wantabee begged time for a quick prayer. The woman, a Catholic, only had one wish. She now attends Mass two or three times a week and would love to receive the host. Sr. Wantabee prayed and found the Eucharistic minister and informed him.
A man who refuses to define her as female. A faith that sees her only as female. A family that calls her “mom.”