When you go to the ER at midnight, you notice some things:
- Some people have no indoor voice.
- The best nurses lead from the heart.
- Someone you once knew as a child can grow old enough to care for you as he leads you to your mom’s room.
- No matter how much you love someone, frustration can still show up.
- My dad whistles a lot.
- And loudly.
- A patient has to say their name and birthdate more times than is helpful.
- Speed is relative.
- Machines make a lot of noise.
- Medicine can make things better.
- Medicine can make things worse.
- There is something holy in an older couple’s love for one another.
- Electrical outlets are hard to come by in a patient’s room.
- Patients wear the same gowns.
- Those with patients wear the same expressions.
- Kindness takes many forms.
- And makes a huge difference.
- Great love can cast out fear.
- But it can also increase fear.
- There is a relief in finding nothing.
- Finding nothing doesn’t mean that nothing’s going on.
Gosh, John! I so know this. Not as much with my parents as with my husband. Just spent some time with my cousin’s family in the ER when his aortic aneurysm ruptured–and he survived! Then later with my mom in the hospital when the doctors were deciding whether to do surgery to her broken femur or simply immobilize it and hope for healing. These last two things within a week of each other. You have nailed it. I hope all is now well.
Love the things you notice, John. Praying for your parents, especially your mom. Such a blessing to be able to walk with them at these times even with the frustrations.
I have read this over and over. Had to show it to Clay…….which he really liked. I went through many of these emotions last year when my mom was in the er 3 times after a fall. I would add 2 more: 1. Some people feel the need for their speakers to be on when talking on the phone or playing loud videos. 2. Why do all the doctors look like they just graduated from high school?
❤️