OLD MAN
The Old Man ain’t doin’ so well.
Went to visit him this evening. He was making gestures and trying to tell us something. None of the five of us, including the nurse, could figure it out. That frustrated him greatly.
We left for a moment to give him and his weak heart some rest.
I went back in alone a few minutes later and stood at the side of the bed. I took his hand and squeezed it. He looked at me and made the same gestures he did when we were all in the room a few minutes before.
“I wish I could understand what you’re trying to tell me. Are you in pain?”
[Nods no]
“Do you want the nurse to rearrange you on the bed?”
[Nods no. Gets frustrated]
“Don’t trouble yourself too much. We’re trying to understand. You’ve got a lot of people here with you that love you, including me. I don’t think I ever told you that before, but I love you old man. I love you.”
[Warm nod and look. Tears in my eyes]
“This hospital crap is getting old isn’t it?”
[Nods yes. I think I’m getting the idea now; I think I know what he’s trying to say. I ask the next logical question.]
Are you ready to go to heaven?”
[Nods yes with a look of relief. Tears flow from my eyes.]
“I know. I know. I know you do. Soon old man. Soon you’ll be somewhere better than this. For now, you need some rest. The Spurs won last night. That’s 10 games in a row.”
[smile]
“Good night.”
[nod and smile]
Went to visit him this evening. He was making gestures and trying to tell us something. None of the five of us, including the nurse, could figure it out. That frustrated him greatly.
We left for a moment to give him and his weak heart some rest.
I went back in alone a few minutes later and stood at the side of the bed. I took his hand and squeezed it. He looked at me and made the same gestures he did when we were all in the room a few minutes before.
“I wish I could understand what you’re trying to tell me. Are you in pain?”
[Nods no]
“Do you want the nurse to rearrange you on the bed?”
[Nods no. Gets frustrated]
“Don’t trouble yourself too much. We’re trying to understand. You’ve got a lot of people here with you that love you, including me. I don’t think I ever told you that before, but I love you old man. I love you.”
[Warm nod and look. Tears in my eyes]
“This hospital crap is getting old isn’t it?”
[Nods yes. I think I’m getting the idea now; I think I know what he’s trying to say. I ask the next logical question.]
Are you ready to go to heaven?”
[Nods yes with a look of relief. Tears flow from my eyes.]
“I know. I know. I know you do. Soon old man. Soon you’ll be somewhere better than this. For now, you need some rest. The Spurs won last night. That’s 10 games in a row.”
[smile]
“Good night.”
[nod and smile]
I stepped out and into the hallway, my cheeks wet and my eyes red.
My wife, her mom and her sister asked if I'd figured out what he'd been trying to tell us. I told them, but I think they knew.
I do love that old man. I wish I’d told him that before today. I wish he’d had that beer he was complaining he wasn’t allowed to have last week. I wish I could’ve shared one with him.
I wish a lot of things.
I wish a lot of things.
6 comments:
god bless the old man....god bless the family....god bless you karlos and your family.
Dont know what else to say, so thats all im going to say.
Like gator, I don't know what to say either.
I'm just sorry you and your family are suffering. Breaks my heart.
You are in my prayers.
Yeah, like gator and sheila I don't know what to say. But I just wanted you to know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tight hugs and love to you all!!!
oh my, i'm ready to start bawling myself. I'm so sorry, carlos.
I'm so sorry....you made me cry, right here at my desk :-( I'm so sorry you guys are going through this :-(
Oh my, this made me cry. I've been through it, and its never easy. (((hugs)))
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