Hidden Treasure

A simple observation

Today I had the privilege of meeting a genuine colorful character.
It happened while in the waiting room at the hospital. My son had gone into surgery and
been there for over two hours.
During that almost three hour wait I had a chance
to meet a few people who were also waiting for a loved one.

  An elderly man came in with a taxi driver. He was wandering up and down the hall trying to find something.

Finally a nurse or aid came up and offered assistance. The taxi driver explained to the
medical person that the gentleman  was looking for the waiting room while his wife was in surgery.

The gentleman took over and explained his predicament. I couldn't help but overhear, I was
sitting right next to where they stood.


The gentleman explained that he was legally blind, his wife was now in surgery and he just wanted to
be in her room when she got out of surgery. This particular medical person explained that hospital policy wouldn't allow
that. He interrupted her somewhat impatiently and explained that he wasn't very concerned about policy. (I cleaned it up of course)

He said it was that policy that caused her to be in this situation to begin with,since it said he couldn't stay with
her when someone else was in the room. So the night before he had gone on home and left her there in the care of the hospital. His wife, a stroke victim, got up confused during the night to find the bathroom,fell and broke her hip.

After he bantered back and forth with this particularly argumentative aid, he gave up and sat down in a chair looking a little lost.
I asked him if he'd like a cup of coffee and when he smiled and said yes, I helped show him where
it was. I didn't want to do too much for him as he seemed very proud. I could tell that at one time this octogenarian
had been a force with which to reckon.  He wanted to talk about his wife and since we were the only ones in
the waiting room at this point I listened, finding his story fascinating.

He spoke mostly of her, his wife. He said she was 72 and of Sue/Cheyenne nationality. He went on to point out
that her families were waring tribes so how her parents got together is probably a story in itself.

"She has a pinch of Irish which gave her clear green eyes", he remarked. I noted aloud,  how pretty she must be.

Nodding, he said she had  once been a Neiman-Marcus model and she was very beautiful. He described her as tall, with long black hair and brilliant green eyes. His face almost glowed when he spoke of her. 
We talked about several things, his take on politics was fascinating and funny.

Sadly, I never got to ask him how long he'd been married nor did I get his name. But, I was able to
help him a little.

When my son's nurse came in to inform me he was out of surgery, I explained to her about this man and what
he'd been told. He spoke up again and said he couldn't see well, and really didn't know where he was but
all he wanted was to be there when she got out of surgery.
I envied him and his wife's relationship. How they must have loved one another.
The nurse, this "angel of mercy" arranged it so he was able to be in the room when his wife returned.
I didn't see him again until about three hours later.

He and his wife were in the room across the hall from my son's room.
I just had to see this Native American beauty who inspired such devotion from  her husband.

I don't know what I expected to see, but all I saw a very elderly and ill lady. Wrinkled and white headed but with a lot of hair. She looked to be in a lot of pain, and she couldn't speak because of the stroke, so she made odd noises that he interpreted for the staff. He was right there at her beside.
He didn't see me of course, but I watched them a few more minutes then left with a new found feeling of wonder.

We pass them everyday, pushing their walkers, being pushed in wheelchairs or walking slowly and
stiffly to their destinations. They are usually bent over, their skin the victim of time and gravity, oxygen
and sunlight. 

These people we so often pass by with nothing more than a polite if not impatient glance are like walking
gold.  They were once doctors, lawyers, firemen, soldiers, teachers, artist, mothers, fathers, lovers, children
and more.  What stories they must house...what hidden treasures of life are locked within those aged bodies?

Next time you see an older person, ask them about their day. Sure, it may hold you up a little while, because they love to
talk. But listen to what they say. You'll both come away all the richer for it.
 

Reviews

[LauraraMonique]

Thank you for sharing this piece. Honestly, I thought it was wonderful, it's okay to have some grammatical errors, as writers, we are by no means perfect. But it's about learning from your mistakes that matter. Any that I saw, didn't distract me from the plot and the story engaged me, thank you again, for writing this beautiful piece.

I used to work as a CNA at a hospital and I think my favorite part about that job was the fact that you can really make or break someone with your words... Everyday, I had the opportunity to help someone smile. This just reminded me of those years.

Awesome Job!

[Laura M]

Thank you LauraraMonique. I see a few errors but the years have helped me improve a little. It was more like a journal entry and I appreciate your feedback. :D

[Eagle Cruagh]

You are concerned about grammatical errors ?

Please ! Your story has beauty , pathos, body, imagination
and love. Who in the world would look for grammatical errors ?

You have just written one of the most beautifula and moving
stories in Cafe. Please do more.

----- Eagle Cruagh

[Laura M]

Thank you so much. That was the kindest review I've ever seen. :)

[Laura M]

eek. I see a few grammatical errors and missing words.
sorry about that