Bonita Griffith

The thread began unraveling 21 years ago when my husband was diagnosed with lung cancer and my 21 year old son was nearly killed in a motorcycle accident. He was in a trauma center and had seven surgeries the year his father was dying. I was an R.N. and became acutely aware there was ample support for the physical aspect of trauma and disease but almost none for the psycho-spiritual dimension of our family of five.

With my interest in holistic health as well as spirituality, to carve out a new career after my husbands death seemed like a wise choice. Little did I know, seventeen years after being Board certified, that my now very successful son would once again be in an accident however; this time he only survived three hours. As the doctors were working on him I learned, one at a time, the list of his injuries, and I pleaded with the E.R. to let us see him and advised them please not to put him on any life support machines.

Later I learned that they were amazed with my clarity and direction during such an intense, shocking experience. Of course, I directly credit my ability to stand in the fire and consider what is the most loving action for my son as well as myself and his two younger sisters, was due to my chaplain training, my fifteen years as a Hospice Chaplain and four years of a Centering Prayer practice.

My grief journey is considerably clear, calmer and more centered than anything I experienced with his fathers death.

What a preparation for life! I am grateful beyond words.