Curious Anita

It was a little later in the evening one week ago today that Anita's troubles escalated to frightening proportions. Having already beaten so many odds, having returned to the same room in PCU as last week, she continues to make her way. Each visit calls us to look for the "soft signs" that might ask for tweaking of medication or different attention. We are grateful for her doctors and the nursing staff, especially the ones that love what they do.

In lieu of any significant medical report, I'm electing a different tack. Some of you have written such wonderful stories of Anita that she and I have enjoyed.  I'm now wondering if perhaps these emails might be an avenue of sharing stories to encourage and comfort each other as we wait together.

Unless I am requested otherwise, I will assume that the stories that find their way to me are meant to be enjoyed by all. Perhaps in the sharing, some others of you might remember a story to share as well. In the interest of simplifying emails, I suggest that you continue to send your stories to me. I'll pick one each day to send in my evening post to you.

I leave you with a short story that came to me just this morning.

Last night Mother seemed extra tired, groggy, almost drugged even though she's on very few medications now. I fretted during the night, wondering if I should've asked or called someone. This morning I called her cardiologist, Robert Rollings, who was already in her room checking her out. He reassured me that, while this road to recovery will take considerable time, she is still progressing day by day. He then added, "She's eating her raisin bran, 2 bananas, and grumbling about wanting to get on with it."

A few minutes later she called. Her morning report was about her nurse, whom she called by name. She recounted that she was from Liberia, and did you know that Moravia is the capital of Liberia, and have you ever known anyone from Liberia?  Such a nice nurse. 

I smiled knowing that Mother was "back" in action.

We could say that Anita is playing her cards well, making nice with the staff so they will treat her well. And usually she does endear herself to most staff.  But it's more likely that she is simply being herself: curious about every stranger, looking to make a friend everywhere she goes. 

Sometimes I used to get bored with the endless details of recounting about strangers neither of us would ever see again. Now I smile and see it as a great sign of being interested in life and in moving forward.

May we dare to be curious for the fullness of life and love in all its expressions! (I put these kinds of things in words; Anita puts them in action!)

Good night, all. Thank you for joining me on this journey.