I felt a desire to go visit Martha and Mary, a nursing home that I was interning at as a medical social worker. So I stopped by during semester break, I didn’t have to be there, but I wanted to go and visit one of the residents, Bobbi. Bobbi was a spitfire full of life who wanted independence… as I strolled in the office and inquired about Bobbi, Merridy gave a sullen look, “she’s not good, she had a massive stroke….”instantly there was a lump in my throat… oh no not Bobbi she’s too spunky… we had laughed our way up and down the aisles of Super Walmart as I pushed the cart after her on the hunt for Green Tea and other things she would remember she needed, I still see the rhythm of her feet propelling her wheel chair one after another. I remembered as I was sitting on a bench, with her parked nearby, eating our feast of Diet Pepsi and chicken strips there was a distinct look on her face as she took the first bite of chicken… it was fresh from the fryer so it was hot… I gently took the outreached offerings from her with a smile and ate it carefully.
As we were coming out of the door there also emerged a river, I happen to glance down and found Bobbi’s Pepsi was flowing, I quickly put it upright in the cart as she was going on the bus’ lift. I took a long streamer of paper towel from a roll that was perched on the garbage can just inside and wiped up the sidewalk the best I could. As I glanced up at the bus Bobbi looked out at me with a worried look, like she had done something wrong. So I did a little dance, actually it was more like a vaudeville act putting the cap tightly on. As I looked up again Bobbi’s worry turned into a big smile and laughter again… it was a touch of heaven.
As I quietly entered Bobbi’s room I immediately left, my body needed time to adjust to the new sight of Bobbi, no bags of her beloved cheetoes rolled close… only the sight of impending death. I took a deep breath in the hall and went back into her room reverently calling her name and gently touching her arm she appeared agitated so I left… it was my way of coping. A couple of days later she received her true independence free from any pain and sadness.
My heart felt sad that I didn’t say good bye to her then, but I didn’t want my last words to her to be without her smile…. So I went to the place of our last romp bought some really hot chicken strips, ate a couple… took a couple swigs of Diet Pepsi. Then I tore up the rest of the chicken strips and placed them around the white roses that I had put on the grass clippings in my favorite spot in the trees and swirled the Pepsi around on the ground… where we all must return to. After the last verse of God Be with You until We Meet Again the leaves gently rustled in the wind, as if she was saying goodbye…
Thus my life came full circle, no more wondering why, why me? now I am trying to live as a lady with bottle red hair taught me to full of spunk. Her words to me one day as we were sitting outside enjoying the sun were, “I think everyone should give back to their community.” Giving back has become my passion, I learned more about charity in those hours then I have ever learned before. Now is my time to shine and live life how it should be, with a smile.
Never underestimate the power of experience; our lives can truly be changed as we become better from experiences.