Day Nine
Surprise Smiles
I arrived early enough to get a parking spot. No need to valet the Jeep this day. Last week I had the experience of the valet service closing before I got my car. When that happens hospital security is given all the keys. You hope they are not engaged somewhere else on the hospital campus or it is one more hurry up and wait.
Walking to the entry doors this morning I was met with several smiles. It was the same experience today when I left the hospital.
Mom has been in the hospital for nine days now.
I learned to visit hospitals when I was in college. The stories I heard about Brother J were that when he visited, he was in and out, just like he drove, in a hurry. There are some days that is called for. No one needs to entertain their visitors when they feel so bad.
When I accepted my first staff position, I learned from Rick good manners, a proper length of stay, and several other important ministerial traits. I also learned to navigate hospitals. I do think Rick wanted to mentor me on one important aspect of the work of a pastor. But, he also wanted someone who could get him in and out without getting lost. I became very good no matter what hospital we visited.
Maybe I did not expect the smiles today. Had others had the Monday we did? Yesterday we sat for ten hours waiting on a doctor or PA to explain an unexpected plan relayed over the weekend. You would think that with the spate of communication options in our technological age, it would be possible to provide rationale for a surprise plan of treatment. Why must a patient wait more than 48 hours?
Then I remembered as I walked to the glass doors. Our nurses had been all smiles since we landed on a floor after fantastic service while in ICU. Even when the nurses felt the frustration from us due to the lack of communication, they smiled. When they empathized to the point of escalating our concerns, they smiled.
Once the stainless doors of the elevator close, someone usually breaks the monotony of the buzz heard as each floor is passed. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Today, the few of us on the ride up exchanged Hellos. Smiles accompanied the pleasantries. Hopes for a good day were bid as riders got off on their respective floors. Smiles.
None of us knew what the others faced as they ventured out of sight, down the long hallways to the wing that held the person they came to see. I hope they were met with smiles this Tuesday morning.
Today the PA arrived when expected. He apologized. He explained. We discussed options. We made decisions.
Walking back to the car, it was time to return the smiles. Those heading toward the glass doors came bearing smiles and wishes for a good day.
I could not help but return the s. Not because we finally received that for which he had asked since Saturday. No, the day still held plenty of hurry up and wait.
The smiles were contagious.
I picked up the virus.
Smile.
Someone else may be pleasantly surprised.