life is too bloody short
I noticed him sitting across from me, slowly eating a plain doughnut and drinking a cup of steaming hot coffee. I was waiting for my daughter to come through the extra-long TSA security line. While typing away on my laptop, I heard him speak in a strong British accent, "Life is too bloody short and people don't talk much to each other anymore, do they?" I looked up at him and immediately closed my laptop.
His face was tan and weathered, and his blue eyes sparkled. He wore a tan ball cap with a kangaroo embroidered on the front; underneath his black vest was a blue long-sleeved business shirt. Rounding out his attire was a pair of Khakis and tennis shoes.
I said, "Hi, I'm Kim." He introduced himself as David, and we began immediately chatting; I then got a glimpse into this stranger's fascinating life. He was 86, had lived on three continents, and traveled between his home on a boat in Puget Sound, his eldest daughter's home in England, and his second daughter's home in Ohio. At 86, he was still an adventurer full of life stories and lessons. We exchanged work, travel, and family stories. When he asked what brought me to Chicago, I blew him away with my story.
I was on a work trip to Chicago, somewhere I never expected to be in October 2023. Three weeks earlier, I had been sitting on the North rim of the Grand Canyon, working on some edits for the book I am writing. The book, was primarily written when I worked for CommonSpirit Health, and naturally, CommonSpirit Health stories were peppered throughout it. As I was reading and editing, Ascension Healthcare came to mind. Over the years, friends have spoken of Ascension's deep connection to their mission, which, like CommonSpirit, is rooted in the healing ministry of Jesus. I began researching Ascension Healthcare and then wrote about their dedication to diversity and inclusion. They have created a framework for standing up against injustice, which is truly remarkable.
I spent the rest of the day staring at the Grand Canyon and polishing up this story of mission and ministry. Unbeknownst to me, something was brewing as several hours later, I received an unexpected offer for temporary employment at none other than Ascension Health. When the call came in, I was stunned, only God.
As I told my new British friend this story, his eyes popped. He said, "Wait, the company you wrote about called and hired you hours later?' "Yes, David, that's exactly what happened, and less than a week later, I, along with three other colleagues, were working at Ascension Healthcare. That's why I am in Chicago.”
He sat there with his mouth agape, and I just shook my head and said, "I know, it's wild. It's God."
Over the last month, I have learned the following:
Their diversity and inclusion framework, A.B.I.D.E., is not a name-only program; their employees actively practice it.
They honor their history and sponsors, which started over 800 years ago.
They are genuinely in the healing business.
Shortly after telling David my story, my daughter made it through the long security line, and we said our well-wishes and goodbyes. Having worked and traveled for many years, the airport has long been my office. As we headed towards the gate, I wondered how much wisdom and connection I had missed because my face was buried in my devices. How many like David want to engage in conversation but don't muster up the courage to say, "Life is too bloody short" to someone they don't know?
The "B" in Ascension's framework stands for belongingness. We all want to belong. According to Maslow, it's a core need right up there with food, water, safety, and love. God made it abundantly clear that in this season, I belonged at Ascension, but I want to thank the Ascension employees who, from day one, made me and the team feel like we belonged. When we engage with others, we create belonging for them, whether it be a good morning to a remote worker, a smile to a new employee, or swapping stories with a stranger in the airport.
It seems fitting that I share this story today, it’s Ascension Healthcare’s 24th anniversary, and life is too bloody short to wait any longer.
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