My wife and I were really looking
forward to celebrating our 21st wedding anniversary on Saturday. So when I went to bed on Friday night I was reliving
in my mind all the wonderful moments we have shared over the years. I went to
bed smiling but woke up at midnight to a nightmare. My wife was bent over with
severe stomach pain, shaking uncontrollably and asking me to take her to the
hospital.
I threw on my clothes and got
her to Mission Hospital within 15 minutes. I’ve actually had a lot of practice rushing her to the hospital so let
me just say that I’m getting pretty good at it! (Just trying to find some kind
of positive note at the time.) When we arrived the emergency room was totally
packed. Apparently Friday nights at the ER are as popular as Friday nights at
the movies. It was so crowded there were no chairs left, but we found a small bench
in a nearby hallway and waited for her name to be called. And wait we did… five
hours… as it wasn’t until after 5:00am that my wife was finally treated by a
doctor.
Sitting in the Emergency Room
for so many hours, watching all the different types of people come and go, was
more than just interesting, it was enlightening.
- First, there was the middle aged woman
whose hair and make-up had obviously been severely neglected, except for
the bright red lipstick she was wearing. I have a feeling her female
friend with her helped her to apply it at the last minute.
- Then there was the twenty something guy
with a banged up and heavily bandaged ankle and his buddy helping him hobble
in, but at the same time making fun of his gimpy walk.
- Then there was the young mother, alone
with her tiny little three-year old son. The boy was really sick and kept
having to throw up every few minutes, but he was trying hard to be brave for
his mommy and not cry. I think his mom was in more pain over his pain than
he was.
- Then there was the teenaged girl with the dyed
blond hair and darkly painted eyes who was obviously high on drugs. Her female
friend wrapped her in a blanket and lowered her carefully into a
wheelchair while the blond just kept staring straight ahead with a sad tragic
smile on her face.
- Lastly there was the young Hispanic man
with his elderly mother. At one point he held on to her tightly and walked
her over to the nurse’s window and explained in a panic that she was about
to pass out. The nurse told him to find her a chair and he freaked out and
started cursing loudly at the doctors and nurses. The nurse remained calm
and helped him lower her into a chair and fortunately within about a
minute they were able to take her in for treatment.
I have been to the emergency
room with my wife many times and I’ve noticed that in recent years they always
have a security guard stationed at the ER. I think it’s a good idea because it’s easy to see how people can get
worked up and highly emotional when their loved ones are in pain. But I noticed
something else as well… nobody in that room was alone. Every single person had
a loving companion with them, helping them, caring for them, worrying about
them, making sure they got the help they needed. If you want to find an example
of people modeling the love and compassion that Jesus showed when he walked the
earth, just visit any hospital…at any time… on any day. It’s much more moving
than a movie!
Love is staying up all night with a sick child - or a healthy adult.
~ David Frost
No comments:
Post a Comment