SHE SPOKE

We admitted, "Elizabeth", to our hospice program today. Elizabeth suffers from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). She has been in a recent decline to where now she is wheelchair bound and dependent with all of her needs.

Elizabeth immediately welcomed the nurse and I into her home. She had this broad, beautiful smile while asking her hired caregiver to move two chairs over near her. Elizabeth spoke softly, but her words and heart were so amazing. She spoke of her family, friends and the support she receives in such an appreciative way.

Elizabeth was a Neo-natal physician and shared stories about her work experiences. She shared so much love with families in such stressful moments. She also shared a few stories about how it was, at times, a blessing to let a child go. Elizabeth's words were so powerful because of the immense love she had while sharing them.

One amazing coincidence presented itself during the hospice nurse's and my conversation with Elizabeth. The nurse said that she was two months premature and weighed three pounds at birth. Elizabeth then shared her thoughts and insight about premies. I was then able to add that I, too, was three months premature and also weighed three pounds at birth. Elizabeth was able to share that my weight came on earlier than typically expected. It made me think how fortunate I was as that may be the reason I was able to survive. My parents were told that there was a 25% chance of survival for me.

There are folks that we meet along our journey that cross our paths only once. I feel so blessed that I was able to meet Elizabeth. I sure do hope our paths cross again. She is such an inspiration.


SHE SPOKE

The moment you walk into her home
you feel her kindness; you feel her compassion.
She spoke so softly, so genuine.
Her heart permeated the room.

She spoke of her dependence.
Her disease and its impact on her life.
"I wish I were dead.
          I wish I wasn't lucid."

She was a neo-natal physician by trade.
She spoke of newborns less than a pound.
How so many were saved to fulfill productive lives;
while others did not fare so well.

She still remembers her first one pound baby.
"His name is Ronald. He is thirty-five now.
He is living a full, healthy life.
He is someone I will never forget."

She thanked us for our kindness; our compassion,
but she is the one with an amazing, spiritual heart.
It was so beautiful; so obvious to all.
It became apparent immediately
          because
                   She spoke.