NUMBER SEVENTEEN

We got a late, urgent hospice referral for “Maria”, ninety-five.  Maria has had kidney disease for many, many years, but it never slowed her down.  In the recent past, all has rapidly changed to where she has become so weak and needing continuous help and support. 

Maria stated “sixteen” when I asked her how many children she had.  Three of her sons were in the home while we were doing her admission.  Maria did not speak English, but one could feel the love she had for her family and for her life.  The family had a lot of humor as her three sons had the hospice nurse and I laughing from the moment we walked in.  

Maria lives alone, but is now never alone.  Thirteen of her sixteen children all live locally.  The children are all sharing caring for their mother so she has continual support.  Her sons told us many stories about their mom that just melted my heart.  She was such a devoted mother who always put her family first. 

We felt the strong love in the home which reflects her children, but especially Maria, as she taught her children to care for others in such a beautiful way.  Her sons showed love through their attentiveness toward their mother, but also, with their cute and funny humor.  It brought out the nurses and my humor as they had us laughing continuously.  Her sons would share to their mother what we had said and she would laugh so sweetly. 

It was an honor to have met this patient and family.  A beautiful example of pure love and devotion while teasing along the way.  It doesn’t get any better.

NUMBER SEVENTEEN

 

She turned ninety-five three months ago.

She had a few health issues which slowed her down,

but nothing too serious to not allow her

               to continue living alone.

 

All has changed these past few months.

She’s suddenly become very weak

now needing her walker to slowly get around;

causing shortness of breath with any effort.

 

She has sixteen children; most living nearby.

She raised them all while doing field work.

All sixteen agree unanimously;

“She’s tough; she’s strong’ she’ll make it work!”

 

They all had us laughing

the moment we walked in.

Her sons teased her, and each other,

in such a beautiful, loving way.

 

She didn’t speak English, but one could feel

the strong love between them all.

I crowned her “Queen Maria” while she

so deservingly embraced their support.

 

I honored each of them for all the love they had.

I so wish our paths will cross again.

As I was leaving, I sweetly told her,

I want to adopt you.

               I am your number seventeen.”