This may sound a little like true confessions but today almost brought me to tears. I will be the first to admit that I am the kind of person that brings home any and all strays- dogs, people,etc. I guess that it is a good thing I am a nurse. I am a very empathetic person and when I walk through the chemo area and look at the people receiving treatment, I can distinguish who might need a little extra boost today. I might just sit and talk or maybe just listen or a little of both but I will be present if you need me. Now comes my confession, every morning I go to McDonald's and get a "senior " unsweetened iced tea, light ice. That is my daily trek and we all have our little rituals and that one is mine. You will find me often joking with those early morning servers and just getting a good start to the day. There is one young man I have seen over the weeks and months I go and I can always evoke a smile and even a little tease before I leave. I don't even know his name but I know he has a good heart and he takes an old lady's tease in good stride. This morning as I came through, there were no smiles and little to no eye contact. My mom radar went on and as I was paying, I asked him if he was alright. He avoided the question at first and I waited. With that he turned to me and I could see the pain in his eyes. Now realize I am in a drive through lane and time is important to those behind me. I asked again and he said he is just so stressed he didn't know what to do. Time was ticking and as I see the red flag over his head in my mind, I ask if he will be alright and he says no. The immediate next question was, are you safe and do you have a plan and he said no. I am now frantically thinking of what to say next and I said , "you promise not to hurt yourself "and he looked at me and put his head down and said, I promise. Now, I have to move the car and I said, it will get better and pointed to the sky and said, have faith. "If you need to talk, please come to me and I will take a break and listen." I took his hand and gave a squeeze and then had to pull out. I immediately went to prayer the rest of the way to work. I don't even know his name. I got to work and sat and pondered what else to do. I called McDonald's and asked for the one girl I do know her name but she was not working today. I will continue to lift him up in prayer through the day and I have alerted the desk if this young man comes to ask for me to please get me and I will take a break and sit down with him. Having said all that, I only tell you this because there have been times we have all walked away. We are our brothers, mothers, sisters, fathers, men, women, and children keepers. No one ever promised us a rose garden but in life and through trials and tribulations, it is the people who stop along the way that make a difference. Hope this is a great day for all! Please forgive for straying just a little from breast cancer news but it was something I just needed to share this morning. Take a moment and reach out, someone is waiting to hear from you. S
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy name is Sue Kilburn and I am a clinical nurse breast cancer educator at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Archives
March 2015
Categories |