Are you really saying thank you?

Are you really saying thank you?

Mar 28, 2020

It was an icy morning when I trudged the uphill sidewalk that skirts the University of Nevada campus. Behind me, I heard the huffing of a fellow student approaching on his bicycle and I moved to my right to yield for faster traffic.

However, I unwittingly detoured the bicyclist already approaching my right and sent him onto a muddy knoll. He managed to stay upright as he passed me. Then, with his tires spitting mud and his voice dripping sarcasm, he yelled, “Thank you SO much!”

Say Little; Do Much

Say Little; Do Much

Feb 24, 2020

I am a professionally employed chaplain. I’m schooled, ordained and certified. I’ve even been to war.

But I recently attended three funerals that reminded me how I can feel as helpless as anyone when trying to comfort a heartbroken friend.

Reverence for Rituals

Reverence for Rituals

Jan 28, 2020

Reverence for Rituals Misspelling redefines spiritual care By Norris Burkes February 2020 In 2002, I was so thrilled to begin work as a chaplain for Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento that I failed to notice the typo on my ID badge. It took more than a year, but a...
Lessons From Las Vegas

Lessons From Las Vegas

Dec 30, 2019

I spend a lot of time in Sin City.

I know Las Vegas isn’t the place where you’d think a chaplain should visit, but business and family often send me there.

Joe Feld Remember Pearl Harbor

Joe Feld Remember Pearl Harbor

Dec 16, 2019

Remembering Pearl Harbor Navy Veteran shares story of attack, rescue, recovery By Norris Burkes December 2019 As a chaplain at Hospice of the Foothills in Grass Valley, I’m privileged to visit local veterans under the “We Honor Vet” program. During these Veteran Day...
Planning To Live

Planning To Live

Nov 28, 2019

Planning to Live Inspiration from senior still moving at full speed By Norris Burkes December 2019 If you walk with me down the egg-white hallway of St. Joseph Hospital in Stockton, I could take you into the room where I met the man who inspired my retirement. It was...