Wednesday, February 24, 2010

A Love Story

Before today's post, some quick business to take care of...

To my awesome readers, to Medgadget, and to Epocrates...I am truly appreciative and honored to have won the 2009 Medgadget Best Literary Medical Blog Award. Hell, I was tickled to just be nominated and ecstatic to have been chosen as a finalist. But to win? This is a very cool and distinguished award that has been bestowed upon my blog, and I thank all of you. Congratulations to the other finalists, as well. You all rock! I am humbled by the attention.

Big thanks, all, for also supporting my blog as a finalist in the 2009 Medgadget Best New Medical Blog category. The competition was fierce and I feel fortunate to have been included within that fine group of weblogs. Congratulations to the winner, SCOPE! Well done!

A special thanks to several people for my early nominations...Mike from Life In The Fast Lane, Ramona from Suture For A Living, Sunil, and Chrysalis Angel. Continued thanks to my (intelligent, faithful, and funny) readers for always being supportive of my blog, from your personal emails to your insightful comments, from your blogrolls to your tweets. You guys make me feel like I've accomplished something special. Thank you, my friends...

Finally, this Thursday, February 25, 2010, at 9 p.m., I will be a guest on the Dr. Anonymous Show, a live internet "BlogTalkRadio" show produced by a heck of a cool guy, Dr. Mike. This will be a new adventure for me and I look forward to the experience. If you have a chance to tune in, please do. And thank you, Dr. Mike, for the opportunity. I just hope I don't screw up...

The post that follows describes a gifted moment that I was fortunate to witness last week in our ER. I proudly share the story with you...

A Love Story

I noticed the two of them shortly after I arrived for my shift. I was standing at the counter, immersed in a chart, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw them walk out of their treatment room. Together.

Slowly, they walked into the hallway, looking first to their left and then to their right, wondering which way to go. One of them pointed down the hallway, grabbed the other's pale hand, and they began to walk toward their destination.

They were obviously in-sync and comfortable with one another, leaning into one another with each step. They continued to hold each other's hand as they approached me, and my eyes locked onto their steadfast grip. As they neared where I was standing, I smiled at the both of them and was rewarded with a return smile from each, doubling my investment.

"Can I help either of you?" I asked, studying their faces as they gave me their attention. Faces etched with contentment.

"No, thank you." It was said in unison. "We're just heading to the bathroom," added the one.

They passed me at a slow pace, and I continued to watch the caring that was quite evident between the two. It was my privilege, really, to observe and absorb their abounding love and obvious comfort with one another, something I don't see nearly enough in my job.

The bathroom was just thirty or so feet past me and, with no pressing patient concerns, I decided to continue watching. Their entwined hands, which had mesmerized me on their approach, looked even more beautiful and innocent, swinging in unison, as they passed and continued down the hallway, away from me. They were talking, hushed, and I noticed how their conversation was steady. Occasionally, one would steal a glance at the other.

They made it to the bathroom. The one gingerly pushed the door open for the other, helping him into the room before stepping back out into the hallway and shutting the door. Several minutes later, after some brief privacy and a few loving knocks, the door opened and they reunited. Hands were reclasped. Smiles were exchanged. Gingerly, they made their way back down the hallway, towards me and their room. Passing by me again, they both nodded.

We exchanged pleasantries. "Have a nice day" was met with "And the same to you." I wanted to say so much more, but decided to just enjoy this moment.

They passed me and I turned to watch their final few steps. Ginger steps that were unhurried and conscious. Again, hands were swung, bodies were leaned into, and familiarity enveloped their every move. I basked in their uniqueness, their special bond, hopeful that they realized just how blessed they were to have one another.

They arrived at their door and, just like with the bathroom, the older gentleman walked into the room first. Helped by the other, who followed.

How blessed was I to witness this true love story. Between...

An elderly father and his grown son.

As always, thanks for reading. Next post will be Friday, February 26. See you then...

22 comments:

coulrophobic agnostic said...

Awww, god love 'em. And congrats on the win - it's well-deserved.

Chrysalis said...

Congratulations to you on the win. You earned it.

Beautiful story. That's someone who raised a proper son.

The Hopeful Elephant said...

YAY! I'm so excited for you!

And I love stories like that. They are so rare in the medical world. Too many times we see the ugly and not the beautiful!

rlbates said...

Just going to echo, Chrysalis Angel. :)

J-Quell'n said...

That's exactly how it is supposed to be. What a beautiful story :)

Katie Axelson said...

Congratulations on winning the literary award! I promise I resisted the urge to use the computer lab to skew the votes.  It was a prize well-earned; a prize that again proved its merit with this post. It wasn't until I was halfway through the post when it dawned on me that this may not be an elderly couple that I'd labeled my grandparents' long lost twins. Most of the time, nameless, genderless, ageless characters are flat. These are not. Just like the child from "A Mother's Cry" was not. It's takes a great writer to make lively characters without revealing such often times vital details. Well done!
Keep up the good work,
<>< Katie

Gary M. Levin said...

Thanks to Dr A and his interview for bringing me to your blog.

Rositta said...

I'm going to make a point of tuning in to Dr. A's show on Thursday. Congratulations on winning. A beautiful love story. At first I thought it was a mother/daughter or two people like my husband and me (who is always helping me because of an unstable hip) but it was heartening that it was father and son. I'm not sure I've ever seen that before...ciao

Anonymous said...

Oh cheese—I thought it was a bf&gf—well done!

With my vote and your readers' votes now, you can be like digi-book lady, except with a way-cooler iPod!~ Enjoy!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your award. I agree that it was well-deserved. I always enjoy reading your blog.

Marcy Hall said...

yay!! you deserve that award and more!! your writing group will soon be ready for that trip to OBX you promised!!

great post today. awesome story, as always!

WrightStuff said...

Congratulations Doc - well deserved!

BLACK INK said...

The wisdom to recognize, appreciate and teach the strengths of inherent goodness; as well as to provide an understanding into human frailties at their most vulnerable time, is truly a remarkable talent.
Thanks for another lesson in human character building.

Anonymous said...

BEA-U-TI-FUL! You had me til the very end- that doesn't happen often;). Thought for sure it was an older couple. Surprised me with the father/son angle. Congrats on your award. If your writing group comes to OBX- look me up- I'm in the OBX ER!

Leigh Ann Otte--TheDoctorWriter said...

The ending made my heart swell. Man, your stuff's so well-written. This is quickly becoming a must-read blog for me.

SeaSpray said...

Congratulations Jim! You are such a wonderful writer. :)

I assumed it was an elderly couple. Beautifully written. It causes me to feel sad.

I will be listening to you and Dr A on the show and if I don't feel too shy may even call to say hi. :)

Have fun with it! :)

Anonymous said...

Beautifully written and poignant. 5 star writing, as your award reflects on. :)

t. said...

YAY! YOU GO DOC!! Truly, well deserved!!

As for the love story? An unexpected, powerful twist--always nice to shed a tear about a HAPPY ER story!

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Kay Lorraine said...

A lovely story. Thank you for sharing it. And congratulations on the award.

Kay Lorraine
Honolulu, Hawaii

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Jive Talkin Tool said...

damnit, the only one of your entries to make me tear up.