Over the weekend I had a surprise.  A friend called me and when I asked where she was the answer was she was in front of my house and wondered if I wanted to grab a quick meal with her.  We ended up eat at Roy Rogers here in town.  The funny thing is that I had decided I did not want to eat home alone and was getting ready to head to another restaurant anyway.  But with her arrival and unexpected invitation I changed my plans we went out to eat with each other.

I write about this because the experience was good for me emotionally.  It showed me that I was valued and because we had not seen each other for a while I was missed.  I am fortunate because I had a reunion with a good friend.

It prompted me to think about some of the patients I meet who when they describe their life outside of the hospital discuss how lonely they feel because “no one comes to see them”.  Every person needs emotional encouragement.  One way we are emotionally encouraged is by being around others.  When we are no longer able to leave our homes independently to find social interaction, it is even more necessary for others to come to us to bring us social interaction.

This reflection has me asking myself the question, “Is there someone I need to provide emotional companionship to by making a visit?”   I am not referring to patients I am caring for as part of my chaplaincy, but about people I know through associations in my personal life.  So I invite you to join me is this reflection.  Is there someone who could benefit from a visit you could make to them?  Let’s visit and lift the spirits of others!