A bustling hospital. An unexpected arrival. A frigid Christmas Eve.
I was saying goodbye to another patient when fate collided us.
“I’m sorry Father,” I heard your son say, “you can no longer live with us, but here is a nice doctor who will find you a home. Merry Christmas, Dad.”
Pretending not to notice your son’s exasperation as you pleaded for him to stay, I choked down the anguish of my own awareness and proceeded to examine you.
Bound to the prison of your seat—scared, bewildered, frail—you looked so lost. You asked why, what you did wrong, where your son had gone, not fully comprehending the chaos surrounding. A deep sigh escaped pursed lips as I searched within for an answer that would never come. Taking your hands, contorted by disease, I gazed into eyes dulled by years gone by—their hope fading beneath a glimmer of fear of an iniquitous present and an unpromised future–and I made you a promise I wondered if I myself could keep.
“It’s going to be okay…you’ll see.”
But hours pass, and it was not okay—you couldn’t sleep, you wouldn’t eat, and the only sound I heard as I passed the door of your half-vacant room was the resonance of muffled tears.
Behind a mask, I also let myself weep.
* * *
Soon the day ended. I entered your room, prepared to make my final rounds. But instead of a bid goodbye, what escaped was an exclamation of the first words that came to my mind.
“Sir, I think we should have a party!”
And that was what we did.
A 90-year-old veteran. A 30-year-old internist. A 20-year-old nurse.
Gathered around your bed, over reconstituted cocoa, you shared with us your history, your joys, your life’s adventures. Over paper cups of chicken broth, I told you my story. As the muted treble of holiday cheer dripped through the bedside radio, together we heralded in, with bittersweetness, the arrival of Christmas Day.
You then took my hand.
As I started to apologize for the late hour, you stopped me. Eyes still glimmering, I hear you laugh, and I believe I finally catch a glimpse of what was the real you.
“Thank you for a blessed Christmas,” you said.
Yes.
A blessed one, indeed.
•
Categories: Life & Love, Medicine
Hi Phoebe. You are an amazing Lady. Compassion Respect and Kindness come to mind. Thank you for liking “Pyjamas Trend!” Peace and Best Wishes. TheFoureyedPoet.
Thank you kindly. 🙂
that horrid moment…I remember it well, never thinking what it meant to the doctor…
Beautiful art and story.
Thank you kindly. 🙂
Sad truth about this life. But thank you for making life still worth living for this old gentleman. Have a blessed Christmas.
Thank you for your kind words. I hope you also had a wonderful Christmas. 🙂
What a lovely story. It makes me sad that this man’s family would abandon him, but it also lifts me spirits to see how you and the nurse went out of your way to spend time with this lovely man. I wish there were more people in the world like you! Merry Christmas!
You are kind. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas…wishing you all the best in the New Year! ❤️
Thank you so much! Have a great Christmas season yourself!
Reblogged this on richwrapper.
All the best to you and Samantha this holiday season.
Wishing you the very best as well!
Such a beautiful story! You gave that well-deserving gentleman the biggest gifts of all- happiness and hope. Job well done, doc. 🙂
❤️ Wishing you a wonderful holiday!
In what seems a world that cares less and less, there are those who have the will to share the gift of love, Phoebe, and you are one of those. Bless you for being such a caring person. May you have the happiest holidays ever and all good things come your way. Holiday Hugs !! 🙂
Your kind words touch my heart. Thank you. Wishing you the very best. 🙂
You are one unique physician. Thank you for reminding us that caring is just a wonderful gift to share with the lonely and the ones who needs just a simple gesture of a presence to give them hope. 👰
Thank you for your kind words. Wishing you much joy and peace this holiday and in the New Year! ❤️
we can find family and friendship in even those who are not related to us by blood. that was good of your to give the gentleman a memorable and enjoyable holiday.
You are absolutely right. Wishing you the best! 🙂
Reblogged this on The Dahlborg Healthcare Leadership Blog.
You made me cry. Again.
Oh dear. Hugs! 🙂
Awww… crap!
Awfully hard to maintain my usual, stoical “Bah, Humbug” persona, when there are stories like this one…
Bless you, Phoebe…
Aww…you’re cute. Thanks for reading. ☺️
Beautiful story.
Thank you 🙂
nice, inspiring
☺️ ☺️
Very beautiful ❤😢
❤️ ❤️
Wow – this totally is a beautiful story! A small (but unlikely) thing for you to do, which made a huge difference to his day. Love it!
Aww…thanks for reading! Take care! 🙂
Beautiful
❤️ ❤️
This is a beautiful and heartfelt story!
❤️ ❤️
Very beautiful story. It touched my heart. I thank you for sharing.
Phoebe, you are a very special person! I loved your story! Thank You, Dwight
You are so kind. Wishing you the best! 🙂
so very lovely, the true meaning of Christmas… much love and peace to you. Michelle
Wishing you the best as well. 🙂
Hugs! ❤
Hugs back! ❤️