TATTOOS

The hospice nurse and I met up with "Christine" in front of the hospital where her father was a patient. Her father, "Tom", had been admitted into the hospital several days prior secondary to a lung infection. Tom lives in a Retirement Center which gives him the full time care that he needs.

Christine's body was full of bright tattoos. She had shorts on with a sleeveless top that said, "I don't wear long pants." Christine had a great sense of humor and laughed so easily. Automatically one can expect a certain personality that goes with how a person looks. Likely all of us are always 100% wrong with those thoughts.

Christine was realistic about her father's recent decline and poor prognosis. Tom also suffered from Alzheimer's Disease and his confusion had recently increased. Christine shared stories about the death of her mother and her two brothers; all within the past six years.

Christine so naturally uses reality as a supportive tool. When I asked her how she copes, she stated, 'You just get on with it." She declined any follow up bereavement support from our hospice. I so know she will be fine. She definitely is a survivor. She is true to who she is; a distinctive personality that is pure and beautiful. There is a phrase that I love because, to me, it is so true; “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.” Christine is so true to whom she purely is. It so does make her shine.



TATTOOS

We were meeting her outside of the hospital.

COVID-19 precautions were powerfully in charge.

Her father was being discharged home today.

It was time for hospice to step in.

Noticing her walking towards us,

all one could see were her dramatic tattoos;

covering her arms, legs, shoulders and fingers.

Back to back; bright colors galore.

She welcomed us with a lovely smile

while conveying her needs; her wishes.

She was tenderly direct with her words;

making it so clear how we could help.

She so appreciated our understanding

whereas she added, so many have not.

"He's been fighting it a lot.

It is his time to go."

She's had tremendous hard times in her life.

Her two brothers and her mother have all passed.

She is a recovering drug addict.

"Clean and sober three years."

She has never been close to her father.

Their relationship has always been tense.

I praised her for being by his side at this time.

"I may not like him, but I am his daughter."

It is easy to expect a certain personality

when observing how someone looks.

She was so practical and true.

Whatever life throws at her,

she fully accepts whatever it is.

She wants to move out into the country

with her dogs; her chickens; her burros.

I so admired her beautiful heart;

but still will never ever forget Marilou Rennie

that flamboyant mass June 18, 2020

of tattoos.