Large hands, small hands, rough hands, smooth hands. Hands with long slender fingers. Hands with tough, hairy knuckles. Hands of nurses, unit clerks, techs, housekeeping staff, child life specialists, social workers, teachers, even doctors and administrators. During national Nurses Week (May 6-12) the Spiritual Care Team at my hospital was out on the units day and night offering Hand Blessings to the staff.
“This is my favorite part of Nurses Week,” one nurse said. “I’ve never done this before,” said another. “Thanks but no thanks,” some said with a smile. “Can you wait a minute until I finish typing this?” one person asked. “Don’t forget to stop by the administration office before you leave the unit,” someone else pleaded.
At this beautiful annual event, we wash the hands of staff with a little warm water, dry them with a soft white towel, then anoint them with a drop of oil. As we pour the water, we remind them that this is a symbol of washing away their cares and preparing their hands for service. And as we rub the oil into their hands, we pray that theirs will be hands of healing, blessed to be a blessing for all the patients and families they care for in the hospital.
This moving ceremony is enacted in hospitals everywhere during Nurses Week each year, which ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. So thank you, caregivers for allowing chaplains like me the opportunity to care for you for once. Whatever your faith, may you be continually blessed for the healing touch you bring to work with you every day. – David
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