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Hmm where to begin....
I met a man many years ago. An elderly man that volunteered at the hospital. At the time I worked in Cardiac. We quickly became friends as he transported patients in my unit. His wife also volunteered, she passed away shortly after I started at the hospital. I then transferred to the Volunteer Department and our friendship blossomed. We had many chats on everything you could imagine. He was a very prominent man in the community and church. He was a WWII veteran and often spoke of his time overseas. He was a pilot and was shot down. He was rescued and survived under the attentive care of the village women and children. He and his lovely wife visited the village often through the years and when she passed he returned to the village. They had prepared a memorial for her. I think is stands beside the memorial they have for his heroism. I loved hearing his stories. Especially the war stories, some of them cheerful and comical, he rarely spoke of the unkind acts. Mostly of his and his buddies survival.
Then I moved away for four years, we stayed in touch via email. When I returned home for weekend family time I always stopped at the hospital. We'd hug and chat some more. Now, I've moved back home, gave up the boat life when a divorce became part of my life. After a year in a different job at the hospital, my old job became available, and mine once again. We picked up right where we left off. I remember my first day back in the volunteer office, an incredible bear hug I received. His age has caught up with him, he no longer transported but instead dispatched the transports. That kept in at a desk but still in a very busy area of the hospital.
A few months ago he began having some health issue's. Then a dreaded phone call from his daughter, he was given 2-4 weeks due to kidney failure. He seemed to not be ready yet so his family moved him to a very nice place where he gets the best care. Hospice visits too. My boss and I went to see him tonight. Surprisingly he looks wonderful. He looked up and saw us at the door, the biggest smile I have ever seen filled his beautiful face and once again, another bear hug. He is still just as sharp as ever. He was also going on a boat ride at our lake tomorrow. He seemed a little nervous but i know he'll gather his strength and have a good time. And, he told me another story. He bought his wife a diamond tennis bracelet, a diamond for every year of their marriage. Over the years he has taken a diamond and made a piece of jewelry for his family. Earrings for his daughters, grand-daughters, and great grand-daughters. The men of the family get a diamond tie clip. I wanted to cry right then and there from the beauty of the story but I couldn't. The love and joy from him consumed me.
My boss made a good point tonight. He has touched so many lives, has made so many friendships over the years, it's just not time yet. There are still good-byes to made. Friends to see one more time. He knows his time is coming and he has accepted it with the courage and faith that I knew he would. A beautiful man. I had to share, I am blessed to have had his friendship and share in his life. I hope you all have met someone like this.
I met a man many years ago. An elderly man that volunteered at the hospital. At the time I worked in Cardiac. We quickly became friends as he transported patients in my unit. His wife also volunteered, she passed away shortly after I started at the hospital. I then transferred to the Volunteer Department and our friendship blossomed. We had many chats on everything you could imagine. He was a very prominent man in the community and church. He was a WWII veteran and often spoke of his time overseas. He was a pilot and was shot down. He was rescued and survived under the attentive care of the village women and children. He and his lovely wife visited the village often through the years and when she passed he returned to the village. They had prepared a memorial for her. I think is stands beside the memorial they have for his heroism. I loved hearing his stories. Especially the war stories, some of them cheerful and comical, he rarely spoke of the unkind acts. Mostly of his and his buddies survival.
Then I moved away for four years, we stayed in touch via email. When I returned home for weekend family time I always stopped at the hospital. We'd hug and chat some more. Now, I've moved back home, gave up the boat life when a divorce became part of my life. After a year in a different job at the hospital, my old job became available, and mine once again. We picked up right where we left off. I remember my first day back in the volunteer office, an incredible bear hug I received. His age has caught up with him, he no longer transported but instead dispatched the transports. That kept in at a desk but still in a very busy area of the hospital.
A few months ago he began having some health issue's. Then a dreaded phone call from his daughter, he was given 2-4 weeks due to kidney failure. He seemed to not be ready yet so his family moved him to a very nice place where he gets the best care. Hospice visits too. My boss and I went to see him tonight. Surprisingly he looks wonderful. He looked up and saw us at the door, the biggest smile I have ever seen filled his beautiful face and once again, another bear hug. He is still just as sharp as ever. He was also going on a boat ride at our lake tomorrow. He seemed a little nervous but i know he'll gather his strength and have a good time. And, he told me another story. He bought his wife a diamond tennis bracelet, a diamond for every year of their marriage. Over the years he has taken a diamond and made a piece of jewelry for his family. Earrings for his daughters, grand-daughters, and great grand-daughters. The men of the family get a diamond tie clip. I wanted to cry right then and there from the beauty of the story but I couldn't. The love and joy from him consumed me.
My boss made a good point tonight. He has touched so many lives, has made so many friendships over the years, it's just not time yet. There are still good-byes to made. Friends to see one more time. He knows his time is coming and he has accepted it with the courage and faith that I knew he would. A beautiful man. I had to share, I am blessed to have had his friendship and share in his life. I hope you all have met someone like this.