Hardship of Healers hands – First Responder Prayers to Eir
June 17, 2023
In my professional life I work nights as a hospital blood bank tech at a Trauma Center. Accidents, and acts of violence bring injuries into the ER to see our trauma team and I’m here to prepare and supply blood products when required. I am not a First Responder in a traditional sense – I seldom see patients in person. I’m part of the care team nonetheless, and as situations worsen, I become more intricately involved.
The more work I do for a particular patient the more emotionally invested I become. I am elated when they beat the odds and heartaches when they don’t pull through. I’ve been told many times that “you just can’t let it get to you”…”Keep some distance
Putting my whole heart in
This is good advice because there is a need for some professional distance, but I would never want to turn off that emotional investment. My passion for people is what drives me to work in a healing profession, it drives me to serve my community in other ways too. I will never turn off my heart it’s such a big part of who I am and because of what it would cost. One of my favorite authors, Brene Brown explains it well.
“We cannot selectively numb emotion. If we numb the dark, we numb the light. If we take the edge off pain and discomfort, we are, by default, taking the edge off joy, love, belonging, and the other emotions that give meaning to our lives.”
~ Brene Brown in “Dare to Lead”
I can’t shut off caring about the people and keep my fire. My flame needs air to breath, and you can’t numb just one part of your emotions when you mute the pain you also mute your joy. Keeping my passions burning brightly means walking through the pain, and I know that I have friends and my faith to turn to when I need support.
Prayer to Eir for Medics & First Responders
These poems are dedicated to those who respond to trauma and loss, fighting for lives even when the battle seems already lost. We work and rush to treat the hurt and dying pouring our hearts and souls into offering comfort when healing is beyond our grasp. Day after day we save so many, we help and heal, but there are times when injuries are beyond mortal skill. When tragedy devastates and even doing all we can, individuals slip beyond revival. Those losses stay and weigh on us and we find ourselves questioning if we could have done more.
‘if I were faster … had more resources … knew more, Would it have been enough?”
We have days when we see and hear our work even as we close our eyes at home. After one of those nights that seems to never end, I wrote these prayers for myself and those who are healers at heart and those with healers hands.
Medics Pray – a Call for Comfort
As my day ends I call to you be it break of day or setting sun I ask your help as I seek rest after doing all that I’ve done Bless my bloodied hands and feet that are too tired to stand. Bless my aching ears still ringing but listening for command. Bring hope to my heart weighed down by witnessing loss Eir, welder of the healers arts lend me comfort from your seat on Lyfjaberg’s moss
Cori Greyhawk
Healers Hands Blessing
Bless me with a Healers hands – – That the work which they do shall bring vitality as they care, – – And offer comfort to those whose strength is failing. Guide me with a Physicians insight – – to clearly see a body’s needs – – that I may offer remedy and counsel Soothe & strengthen my Healers heart – – That I may continue to offer aid and not break – – As I stand witness to pain and heartbreak
One Comment
Gardvord
Wonderfully written. I hope many first responders find your prayers and make use of them. It will serve them well if they do.
You found a new way to serve, by sharing your big heart in written word. Gods be pleased.
Þórr Vígí!