Brother, when I first became a nurse I told this gal I was taking care of that if I did nothing but help one person in my life, then I would have accomplished what I had set out to do. I worked with her off an on over the course of 3 months.

I saw her a couple weeks later at a Wal-Mart doing some Christmas shopping. She was in a wheelchair and bound to an oxygen tank but in high spirits and a glow lit up in her eyes when she saw me. She had been one of those particular patients that left you wanting to just hug her every time you saw her. She was an inspiring person. Kinda like that grandmother you always wanted. I stood and talked to her and her caregiver for 10 mins or so before I wished her my best and bid her adieu.

I did not return to work for a couple of weeks after that as I had a little vacation for the holidays. When I got back to work, one of the local Hospice nurses was on the floor and ask for me by name. I responded as belonging to that name. She told me that this beautiful human being that we had been blessed to know had left us. I was a little torn, to say the least... and then she handed me an envelope. I said a quick thank you and started down the hallway. She said "Wait, aren't you going to read it?"

"Sorry, I am a little distraught right now."

So nurses are sentimental creatures (and nosy ones), so not letting her know what was in the envelope wasn't going to be accepted. I reached in my scrubs and pulled out the envelope. It felt fat and thick with a dark red wine color. I remember pulling it open...

Inside was some sketches on paper. One of a barn and another of a bird. She was a quite good sketch artist. The third picture was of me reading to her...

There was a letter enclosed explaining how much she appreciated all that I had done for her and that how much of an inspiration I had been to her. She assured me that I had helped one person and that I needed to try a little harder...

I cried just like I am crying right now... most of the time what we do in life goes unnoticed, and then there are moments like these...

I really hope you have a great evening brother and thanks for jogging up a great memory for me. She was a fantastic person and lived a fantastic life. It was my privilege to get to share the end of it with her.

Peace,
The Last Sage