REFLECTIONS ON LIFE

While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. "That's my son over there," she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide. "He's a fine looking boy" the man said. "That's my son on the swing in the grey sweater." He added.  Then, looking at his watch, he called to his son. "What do you say we go, Todd?" Todd pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes." The man nodded and Todd continued to swing to his heart's content. Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his son. "Time to go now?" Again Todd pleaded, "Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes." The man smiled and said, "O.K." "My dear, you certainly are a patient father," the woman responded. The man smiled and then said, "My older son Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year ...

To my dear child: On the day when you see me old, weak and weary, Have patience and try to understand me. If I get dirty when eating, If I can not dress on my own, Please bear with me and remember the times I spent feeding you and dressing you up. If, when I speak to you, I repeat the same things over and over again, Do not interrupt me. Listen to me.  When you were small, I had to read to you the same story a thousand and one times until you went to sleep. When I do not want to have a shower, Neither shame nor scold me.  Remember when I had to chase you with your thousand excuses to get you to the shower? When you see my ignorance of new technologies, Help me navigate my way through those world wide webs.  I taught you how to do so many things, To eat the right foods, to dress appropriately, To fight for your rights. When at some moment I lose the memory Or the thread of our conversation,  Let me have the necessary time to remember. And if I...

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb.  He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized hi...

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left. Except for Love. Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment. When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help. Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can't. I came from another island, which is far from here, where there is a lot of gold and silver. My boat is full. There is no place here for you." Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. "Vanity, please help me!" "I can't help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered. Sadness was close by so Love asked, "Sadness, let me go with you." ...