A THANK YOU LETTER TO A FRIEND

Several weeks ago one of my favorite residents become very sick. I have known her for three years and we have become very close. She has always taken the time to ask me about how I am doing, how my kids are and so on. Even though I make sure that I don't make our time together all about me she still wants to hear all about my life. She is someone that is easy to talk to and fun to be around. It was very hard to see her sick.

Last week she was rushed to the hospital, heart failure. She has no family to speak of and I felt so bad that she would be alone in the hospital. I decided to take some of my vacation time and spend it with her. As I entered her hospital room she gave me the biggest smile I have ever seen. It was hard to see her all hooked up to all these tubes, oxygen mask, catheter bag, etc. Even though I know she was weak she still wanted to know how my family was and want I had been up to. I told her all was fine and then asked if she would like me to read something to her. She asked if I would read Psalms from the Bible. I started with the first Psalms and after a few days I had read to the end of all the Psalms. She seemed to get such peace and joy from the words. I had never read anything in the Bible before. I never though I would understand anything in there. If I came on something I didn't quite understand she would explain it to me. I was amazed at how simple what I read was to understand.

Each night before I left she would ask if we could say the Lords Prayer together. So she would say a line and I would repeat it after her. That seemed the most wonderful and peaceful time we spent together. A few days ago she was very weak and the nurse said she didn't believe it would be much longer. I felt very sad but I also felt very glad to be with her and help her any way I could. Before I left that day she again asked me to pray with her. It was amazing; she seemed so awake and alive like nothing was wrong with her. We prayed and she asked me if I was going to go on being a C.N.A. because to her I seem like such a natural at caring for others. I told her that I hadn't given it much thought but that maybe she was right, this was the right place for me.

Now that she is gone, I have been thinking more about our time together. I have started reading the Bible and because I have seen it through her eyes I am discovering what wonderful wisdom, comfort and joy it contains. I am also considering working with a Hospice facility in our city. My friend, even at the end of her live, was such a great gift to me. Thank you, Joan, love, Linda