Note: This reflection is based on the teachings of Erie Chapman and his foundational book, "Radical Loving Care" which has had a significant and meaningful impact for me in relationship to caregiving and the sacredness of our work.

Erie Chapman introduced healthcare to a beautiful concept called the Touch Card of Remembrance, which is based on the Jewish tradition where some families place a receptacle on doorposts of their home and inside this receptacle is a parchment, called a Mezuzah, that speaks to the Oneness of G-d and holiness of life.

Transferring this idea to caregiving, Erie encouraged the adoption of a touch card in hospitals with the awareness that in the busyness of one's day visual reminders are helpful.

Erie explained, “The touch card would be placed on or near the door of each patient room. Upon approaching a room, each caregiver would be encouraged to touch the card before entering, like a knock on the door of the soul, a reminder of the sacred humanity of the person in the bed. It's a small thing, and it can be transformative. Because it sends a signal throughout the hospital or any ministry that uses the touch card: the other person has holiness within. Respect this holiness.” Erie Chapman

Taking a 3 second pause can help you to become fully present to the person before you. The person lying in that bed, is someone who is ill and in need and whenever a need is met with a loving response that is a sacred encounter.  (paraphased, Erie Chapman)

Erie invites others to, “Try the touch card system yourself. Create some small image that is a holy reminder for you of the need to love others. Place this near a threshold you often cross so that your hand may touch it and your heart may be reminded of the stillness within, of the love of God, and of how we express our love of God through loving others.”

This image is a touch card I made and shared it with home care ministries for caregivers to place on their clipboard or in office setting on their door or cubie, to encourage this awareness with our fellow caregivers who approach us with a need, to offer our full listening presence and to create space for sacred encounters to unfold. For we are all caregivers one to another.

Liz Sorensen Wessel