I have been asked why I specifically mentioned the Good Witch as one of my self-care techniques in a local article in Methodist Magazine. For whatever reason, some people do not consider this to be my kind of show, and pre-COVID they would have been correct.

First of all, I have to say that the article was an absolute shock to me. I received a request to submit something just prior to its going to print. The chaplain who was first asked could not participate. I thoughtlessly sent in a piece I wrote up as part of a class project several months before and assumed the editors would use a tiny blurb if they used anything at all. I thought nothing more about it until the day a co-chaplain texted to thank me for my vulnerability and honesty with the article. Still bewildered, I found an online copy and was even more shocked to see that they left it as is – without editing a single word. As much as I hated the attention it brought (and the silly nickname), it did open up an avenue of trust and communication between me and other hospital staff.

Anyway, why the Good Witch?

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I was into law enforcement shows. My favorite being Blue Bloods.

After the pandemic, I saw enough reality in my real life. I did not want to watch it on television, especially after that first May-June 2020. In 2 weeks, I lost 4 family members, none from COVID.

The first was my cousin. At that time, I split my Saturday shift between two hospitals. While driving from one hospital to the next, my mom called to tell me that my cousin was in the ER – the same hospital system, but not one of the ones I was scheduled to work. So I called the chaplain manager and told her what was going on and that I would be late.

COVID had not yet become all-consuming, but there was a mask mandate and a limit to the number of people allowed in the hospital. I, however, would be able to get in with my ID badge.

I expected to go, see my cousin, aunt, and his wife, offer prayer, then leave. However, as soon as I looked at my cousin, I knew he would not be leaving there alive. I had seen too much and knew just enough to know this would not turn out well. I, of course, could not tell my family what I suspected.

That was the first time I learned that a caretaker cannot take care of their own family in a professional sense. Two of my fellow chaplains came to pray for my family and me. I wept, realizing I needed the care as much as they did. Later that day, a doctor asked me if I was a chaplain or a family member. I said both. She said, “No. You are family.” I understood exactly what she meant. She let me stay, though.

After my cousin died, my grandma and uncle died. Then, my ex-husband died. He may have been my ex, but . . . too much to unpack here.

I took six weeks off from work and school. I was an emotional wreck. During my time off, I watched a lot of television. But, again, I could not stomach any kind of law or hospital drama that fictionalized our gruesome reality. I needed an escape, and reality on television did not offer me any relief.

So, what to watch if I could no longer stomach my old favorites?

I discovered Grace and Frankie on Netflix. I binged that show, and it felt so good to laugh. I mean, amid my immense grief to belly laugh like that? What wonderful balm for my tormented soul.

After watching the final episode, I asked my friends for uplifting show recommendations. One friend raved about the Good Witch. I had heard of it, but I was not a Hallmark fan other than the Hallmark Christmas movies. I tried it, though, and was immediately hooked. It was undoubtedly a feel-good show.

When I returned to work after six weeks off, COVID had exploded. It became all-consuming. I would come home and watch one or two episodes during the worst of it. Watching repeated episodes of the Good Witch helped my mind and soul calm and transition from death back into life. Unlike my former favorites, not only was the Good Witch uplifting, but I needed the comfort and predictability of watching reruns. My family knew not to talk to me after I got home until I had my time to “detox” with the residents of Middleton.

Like Bon Jovi music did for me when I was a kid, repeated episodes of the Good Witch did for me during the worst of COVID-19.

On a side note, I find it interesting that post-COVID, many of us in my healthcare setting enjoy true crime series and shows, whether docudramas based on real-life serial killers or docuseries such as Dateline or 48-Hours. We came to realize that we like chaos with nicely wrapped-up conclusions. We get seriously annoyed when a show leaves us with no clear resolution.

Click HERE to read that article.