there are a few things that remain in my mind
things i think about often and this is one...
last year i had surgury
i had to go back to th e.r. on three different occasions there after
on the second visit the e.r. unbelievably crowded
people overflowing and pouring out
through the waiting room hallways and any other place they could be put
i was taken back and placed on a bed in the hallway
center stage of the nurses station
laying there in pain
already uncomfortable from what my body was doing to me
then the lack there of any sorts of privacy
laying there for all to see me
my husband and i watched life as it happens
listened to words from all kinds
minutes lingered on to what felt like hours before they tended to me
i was cold
uncomfortable
and wishing i would have just stayed home
then a lady came to us and asked if i wanted some socks and a blanket
i looked at her stunned
never ever and i have a few bouts to the hospital in my short time
has anyone tried to make it a half way pleasant stay
(not that it is pleasant to be there by any means
but if you have to be there then why not)
i said thank you for asking i would appreciate it greatly
when she returned she not only had a pair of socks and a blanket for me
but had brought my husband a can of juice
we could not believe what was happening
we looked at eachother speechless
as this is not a way about around here
this does not happen ever
during our long hours
being tended to in the hallway
we saw life happening before our eyes
words spoken we wish we never heard
men in drunken stupers from a bit of over indulgence
prisoners from jails for ailments unknown
a young girl brought in only to hear a baby signing within minutes as she made her way into the world
an elderly taking his last breaths and the family grasping on with every ounce that remain inside them
crying
laughing
arguing
and through this all
was a lady making her rounds
with compassion in her eyes
words of comfort flowed from her mouth
her efforts so simple
volunteer
a few hours spent
and what a huge impact she made
Where do you wish to make a difference?
i have thought of her often
and have talked with my husband that when the time is right
unfortunately not just now
as mine are still young and i have a husband at home and schoolwork to be done
but one day one day to come
i would like to spend a few of my minutes and moments
doing just as she had
making a difference
from the kindness in her heart
the magic that resonated within her hands
nothing monumetous
just a simple thing
that to me made all the difference in the world
26 comments:
What a big difference we can make for others in just being there and taking the time to care. You are such a talented writer. I could see and hear the emergency room and all that was happening. As Faerwillow wishes for herself, I wish for her also.
I wonder if you can contact her and tell her what a difference she made in your experience? What a wonderful example she was to you and now you will go forth and "pay it forward" as she has done, although I'm sure you are already doing this in ways you may or may not even realize!
As Faerwillow wishes for herself, so I wish for her as well!
Having been in the hospital for myself and others, I can totally relate to the difference this lady made to you. Just for someone to acknowledge your humanity, and then to offer things to nurture it. All hospitals need ladies like this. I'm sure you will do this when the time it right.
As Faerwillow wishes for herself, so I lovingly wish for her as well.
what a beautiful post. I spent a weekend in the hospital last Fall and the man in the room next to me was screaming in fear and dying while I was laying in my bed at 2am. The screaming lasted for about 3 hours then all the doors on the floor were closed. My husband and I (he was sleeping on the couch in the room) just looked at each other knowing that the man had died. I could hear the nurse in the room with him for 3 hours trying to comfort the man. I felt deep sadness that even though this woman was there with him, it was not a loved one. She was compassionate and did her best to help ease his transition out of this life, but all I could think was "I hope I have someone I love next to me when I take my last breath."
A beautiful tribute to the value of compassionate volunteering! And it really shows that no gesture of help and comfort is ever wasted.
As Faerwillow wishes for herself, so I wish for her as well!
Oh hon..you made me cry again..what a wonderful post!! You truly are a special soul!! Isn't it amazing what just one little thing can do for someone. You just never know what an impact you have when you offer yourself up in small ways!! You have offered me some amazing things hon..you are already that person in the hall!!
Hugs and love, Sarah
What a lovely post! There are plenty out there who make a difference and this celebrates them perfectly!
As Faerwillow wishes for herself, so do I wish for her as well. Such selfless and noble wish to make a small difference in the lives of others in a pay it forward kind of way. Nice!
your words and stories never fail to fill me with a million of emotions ... creeping up one upon another as i read those words unfolding. you have a gift of nurturing others ... of making others see things that would have probably been ignored. you must be a lightworker ... i believe you are.
I had a similar experience when my mom was in the hospital this time last year. There were people walking back and forth but only one person took the time to see if we could use anything. Thank you for sharing. As Faerwillow wishes for herself, so I wish for her.
As you wish for yourself, Faerwillow, so I lovingly and honestly wish for you as well.
May more embrace your wish as well, for this world needs more kindness in the chaos...
What a beautiful story. So much more kindness is needed like that everywhere. As you wish for yourself today, I wish for you also.
What a lovely post and what a lovely wish. As Faerwillow wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.
Your story reminds me that there are angels among us, we just too often overlook their gifts.
As Faerwillow wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.
People don't often realize that the little things make all the difference. You strike me as someone who graps that completely and I know you are already making a difference in the lives of your family and friends. What a lucky world we will have when you have raised your children and will have the time to offer that energy to volunteering!
As you wish so I wish for you. I can only hope that I have helped someone feel better/made a difference no matter how small in another person's life!
oh faerwillow, what a lovely story. i totally relate to this story. as faerwillow wishes for herself, so i wish for her also.
Beautiful post.
As Faerwillow wishes for herself, so I wish for her as well
Beautiful! As faerwillow wishes for herself so I too wish for her as well!
This is so beautiful. As Faerwillow wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.
What an inspiring story. It is so true how much your life can be so much better because of the kindness of others. I'm glad she touched and helped you!
Take care.
As Faerwillow wishes for herself, I wish for her as well.
Bless you and the woman who looked after your comfort. Tears in my eyes. Nothing in life is more important than this simple and unexpected compassion with the expectation of nothing in return for one another.
I love this story and this wish.
As Faerwillow wishes for herself, I wholeheartedly wish for her as well.
Wow! Your writing amazes me. I felt like I was at the hospital with you and your Husband. You have made a BIG difference through your writing.
Big Hugs and Blessings to you!
As Faerwillow wishes for herself, I wish for her also.
As Faerwillow wishes for herself, so I wish for her also. What a wonderful gift of compassion and comfort that woman gave you and that you in turn hope to give someday. May it be so.
I am so touched by your words and by the gift of socks and a blanket. It reminds me how sometimes in terrible situations, we just need someone to remember our humanity. Such a small thing can be so enormous and meaningful in the darkest of hours.
As Faerwillow wishes for herself, so do I wish for her also!
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~your thoughts i do adore...thank you so for taking time to leave your words of wisdom~