Smile

While sitting in medical waiting rooms (X-ray, Dr.’s Offices, labs, etc.), you meet and observe a lot of people. While traveling to see my specialists, I’ve met people from all over the world.

Not only does it help pass the time, but sometimes eases the anxiety. Usually while sitting in these “waiting” rooms, 8 times out of 10, people are usually scared of the unknown….. or sick (why else would they be there?)… or numb, because they, like me… feel as though there are no surprises left (which believe me, there can always be one more unwanted surprise!) You can’t help but bond, or find something in common with these people, as you are both in the same boat. Sick.

Yet it never ceases to amaze me what the human spirit can endure, share, or receive.

I’ve witnessed and experienced events that have forever changed my perception of love. On one particular appointment (at my neurosurgeon’s office), while consumed by my own fear, I met an older gentlemen who was with his wife. She was obviously losing her memory…. possibly Alzheimer’s, or some other form of dementia. She was scared and in a wheel chair. He gently calmed her, by caressing her face. He kept talking to her, about events she could remember, hugging her, talking about their children, their grand children. He must have known then, he hadn’t much time left with her. He kept wiping the tears out of his eyes, when our eyes met. Immediately I felt I had intruded on their time together, and felt sadness for him. I touched his arm, and told him I was sorry. He told me not to be sad for him, he’d had 54 years with his wife, the love of his life. Then he immediately asked about my health. Here was a man, obviously upset and grieving for his wife’s illness…. yet took the time to ask about my health…. me?… a total stranger? While appearing to be a frail, older man…. his strength and beauty was immeasurable.

I’ve also met a woman, bald as a cue ball (no hair, no eye lashes, no eye brows, NO HAIR period) suffering the indignities of treatment for a brain tumor, she was told was terminal. Her attitude was not at all like mine…. she was happy, eager for the treatments (that made her even sicker) as she was trying anything and everything she could to just live “one more day”. I felt ashamed for being so self absorbed. While appearing to be in her last few days, or months of life…. her strength and beauty was immeasurable.

Yes, the human spirit can endure… it can be gentle… it can be frail… it can be beautiful…. it can be sad…. but it is always STRONG.

There is a young lady (who gave me permission to list her link) who is also an example of true spirit. If you have the time, you might check it out at:

http://www.2withspirit.com

Her eloquent, yet brutally honest writing is a journey of her healing, search for the truth… and yes that ever strong human spirit.

Smile