Weeping Jesus

In the year 2022, I started my first unit at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital as a Chaplain Resident. In reflection of my year, I made the image below based on my first unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). I saw first-hand the impact of trauma, terror, and fortress like love turned into shambles of grief. I learned a lot about the human experience each day I walked through the Emergency Department (ED) doors. And through the witness of other’s grief, I came to terms with my own. This image not only embodies the hard truths of grief and a hospital experience during Covid -19 times, it also reflects a journey of personal grief and loss with the church.  When I look at it, I see sorrow, pain, and curiosity to learn and embrace my grief in hopes of a new tomorrow.