Sweetheart, you look a little tired
When did you last eat?
Come in and make yourself right at home
Stay as long as you need
Tell me, is something wrong?
If something's wrong, you can count on me
You know I'll take my heart clean apart if it helps yours beat
Sleeping At Last - Two
Today I had the opportunity to spend most of the day in hospital. The reason for being there is mine, but I witnessed an interaction that was most human that I’ve ever seen.
I chose the word human deliberately. In my mind and heart it speaks to a person choosing compassion, choosing to act in such a way that love and a belief in the intrinsic value of an individual is at the forefront of any action.
An elderly man was in a hospital bed next to me, unconscious. The room (ward?) was empty except for this man, myself, and a nurse. I was sitting awkwardly in a wheelchair, waiting for the next unknown step in my treatment. After a few minutes the nurse asked me if she could play some music as the man enjoyed country music. She then proceeded to put on a playlist and sing to him as she checked over him, doing innumerable medical checks that showed her competency and ability.
After a short while, he started awake and tried to sit up, obviously concerned and alarmed. His voice was rough and sharp, struggling to enunciate his worry. The nurse paused the music, speaking warmly and clearly saying, “you’re in hospital darling, you’ve been sick. You’re getting some scans.” He kept asking staccato questions of confusion, and she kept repeating, “you’re in hospital darling, you’ve been sick.”
He only relented and lay back down when she said, “it’s okay, I’ll stay with you. Let’s listen to Johnny Cash together.”
As I watched I couldn’t help but marvel at the compassion that she demonstrated and her consideration for the things which gave him joy. These deliberate and considerate actions then formed as the backdrop and basis for his trust in her during his confusion.
I can only hope that I interact with students with the same intrinsic humanity that this nurse demonstrated.
I chose the word human deliberately. In my mind and heart it speaks to a person choosing compassion, choosing to act in such a way that love and a belief in the intrinsic value of an individual is at the forefront of any action.
An elderly man was in a hospital bed next to me, unconscious. The room (ward?) was empty except for this man, myself, and a nurse. I was sitting awkwardly in a wheelchair, waiting for the next unknown step in my treatment. After a few minutes the nurse asked me if she could play some music as the man enjoyed country music. She then proceeded to put on a playlist and sing to him as she checked over him, doing innumerable medical checks that showed her competency and ability.
After a short while, he started awake and tried to sit up, obviously concerned and alarmed. His voice was rough and sharp, struggling to enunciate his worry. The nurse paused the music, speaking warmly and clearly saying, “you’re in hospital darling, you’ve been sick. You’re getting some scans.” He kept asking staccato questions of confusion, and she kept repeating, “you’re in hospital darling, you’ve been sick.”
He only relented and lay back down when she said, “it’s okay, I’ll stay with you. Let’s listen to Johnny Cash together.”
As I watched I couldn’t help but marvel at the compassion that she demonstrated and her consideration for the things which gave him joy. These deliberate and considerate actions then formed as the backdrop and basis for his trust in her during his confusion.
I can only hope that I interact with students with the same intrinsic humanity that this nurse demonstrated.