Anybody See My Shoes? Poetic Reflections From A Chaplain [Paperback]

Dorothy E. Shelly (Author)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

About the Author Dorothy Shelly has served as a chaplain in a long-term care facility since 1996. Much of her ministry with the elderly focuses on issues of transition, change, and loss. She is board certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains and is past- president of the Pennsylvania Society of Chaplains. An ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, she has standing with the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference. Prior to seminary, Dorothy enjoyed a career in nursing. She earned an Associate Degree in Nursing from Montgomery County Community College, a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy and Religion from Ursinus College, and a Master of Divinity Degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary. Her background in nursing focused on gerontology, oncology, and mental health. She is presently pursuing Gestalt Pastoral Counseling. Dorothy is a lover of poetry, a passionate gardener, and an advocate for frequent get-a-ways to Vermont.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris (August 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413493823
• ISBN-13: 978-1413493825
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #667,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Standing on holy ground, January 7, 2006

By 

Charles Day - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anybody See My Shoes? Poetic Reflections from a Chaplain: Poetic Reflections from a Chaplain (Hardcover)

Dorothy Shelly is a board certified chaplain ministering to mostly elderly residents of Phoebe Homes in Eastern Pennsylvania. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, she is also an accomplished poet.

In this book she reflects upon her experiences in ministry with the well, the sick, the demented, and the dying. The title piece is the result of a morning prayer service in which she is about to give the benediction when suddenly one person in the congregation says aloud, "Anybody see my shoes?" At that moment Chaplain Shelly realizes the blessing and dismissal have been given...by someone who has uttered words which call to mind Moses at the Burning Bush or even the Risen Christ in a borrowed tomb or an angel saying, "Fear not!" Repeatedly the author and the reader are called 'back to ourselves' by words and events which remind us who we are, where we are and the focus of our lives.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "voice" for "the least of these.", October 2, 2006

By 

Priscilla Y. Huff "The Self-Employed Woman" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anybody See My Shoes? Poetic Reflections From A Chaplain (Paperback)

Reverend Shelly's poems gives a voice to those of our elderly whom few of us hear any more or think that the elderly and those with dementia can still contribute to society. To read this little book will enrich your life and make you realize we can still learn about God's Love from those that Jesus says in the book of Matthew are among "...the least of these..."
An adult daughter who is caring for her mother with Alzheimer's disease said Shelly's book was so moving that she could only read one poem at a time. A wise person once said, "A society is judged by how it cares for those who can no longer care for themselves." Those individuals featured in this book are not "throw-away" people. They are our fathers, mothers, grandparents, friends and loved ones who can still continue to teach us much about compassion and caring...if we would only slow down to take some time out of our busy lives to sit awhile and listen to what they have to say.