PARK BENCH

The hospice nurse went out to admit, “John”, eighty-five to our hospice program.  John has cardiac disease and was recently diagnosed with COVID-19.  He had been in a nursing home which is where his caregiver/friend “Becky” believes he contracted the disease.  Due to the facility not allowing visitors because of the virus, Becky brought John home to her house. 

Becky’s daughter, “Alex”, lives nearby and helps our with caring for John.  Becky and Alex love him like a father/grandfather.  Becky shared that John had no family at all.  We talked about how Becky and Alex is strongly his family.  Family are those who love you. 

Becky and I met outside on her driveway.  There was this fantastic park bench.  It so looked like the ones that have been around for years.  It was in perfect shape and so comfortable to sit in.  It reminded me of those “good old days”.  There were two sports cars parked in the driveway.  Becky leaned against one while I sat on the bench. 

Becky started sharing stories about her family and John.  They were wonderful.  I could have listened to her all day.  In another world or another time, I know we would have been friends.  Becky and I had a lot in common.  Her humor made me laugh so easily.  We connected in such a wonderful way.  We totally understood each other.  

Being with her as a social worker, I have to remind myself that I am there to support her.  She had me so relaxed as she was so easy to be with.  Life is not that complicated as, in the end, it is all about love; what Becky and Alex had for John.  I was not there as a friend, but it sure was nice.

PARK BENCH

 

He is contagious with COVID-19;

so she and I met outside on her driveway.

She leaned against her black sports car,

while I sat on a genuine park bench.

 

She spoke about her elderly friend.

How he has no family at all anymore.

She moved him in as he needed help.

Their love as strong as a

         father and a daughter would be.

 

She started sharing his lifelong stories.

Wonderful memories between her family and him.

She embraced him with her descriptive words;

using humor and laughter to lighten the way.

 

She was so easy to be with.

I so enjoyed listening to what she had to say.

She lives only a half mile from me.

Not far from where I do my daily walk.

 

She sat down on the park bench next to me

while completing all the paperwork.

It was like we’ve been friends for years.

We connected in so many ways.

 

The park bench was so welcoming.

It was comforting and encircling me. 

In addition, her humor was so enjoyable.

It had us both giggling; not wanting to stop.

 

If we had met in any other way,

I so know, we would have become friends.

I can easily see us laughing and giggling

while sitting together on our favorite

         Park Bench.