Bringing Cheer to the Hospital

A garden walkway in New York, 1922. (LOC)

 

I cannot count the number of visits we have made to the hospital in the past few years.  We have learned to enjoy the view, see the good, and to smile along a necessary path we would not have chosen for ourselves.   

In waiting rooms, it is common for some to worry and feel anxious. As we notice those around us, coping with their own struggles, it is comforting to share a pleasant smile with a sense of reticence, knowing we must not intrude in the lives of strangers. 

I was walking outdoors with our patient. The landscaping was lovely and peaceful. There were walking paths all around the hospital. We enjoyed the fresh air while waiting for a procedure to begin. Even though we only had 10 minutes to spare, I wanted to fit in a restful walk to enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature.

Soon we were back inside, walking the halls. It was early in the morning, a quiet part of the day, as we went along.

Walking through hallways in a New England hospital.

At the main reception desk, I paused to see an assortment of complimentary items for guests. I selected a word-search puzzle, a coloring paper, and a package of crayons.   Our patient (who is nearly a foot taller than I am) looked at the crayons and thought I was going to color. "No," I told him. "This is for the little girl I noticed in the waiting room. Her mother is a patient."  When we got back to our designated seating area, I stopped to ask the girl's father if she would like the crayons and coloring page. He nodded thankfully as the little one hopped up and gratefully accepted the items.  Soon we were back to our walk, going down the quiet halls and just waiting to be called.

After a short time, I was alone in the hallway, sitting in a comfortable chair and saying little prayers. Time always passes so slowly. People come and go.  Names are called and there is more waiting. 

The hospital becomes dreary and one longs to get out in nature, to find peace, to find rest. But we must not worry or fret. We must try to bring cheer and goodness in whatever place we are called to occupy.

In such places, we cannot help overhearing the conversations around us. An elderly gentleman answered his cell phone.  It seemed his wife was in recovery, and they wanted him to come.  He sounded relieved and grateful.  After he left, our patient appeared. He was unstable on his feet and weary, but ready to go.  As I walked toward him, I noticed a beautiful red leather bag in front of a chair. It was clearly abandoned. Then I thought of the elderly man. In his haste to rejoin his wife, he must have forgotten he had been put in charge of her belongings.  There wasn't anyone else around. Nobody else would have known the circumstances.  I asked our patient to wait for a few minutes and went to the reception desk to explain what I heard and give them the red bag.  As I walked away, I could hear them talking about the patient. I knew they would get it back to her before she even noticed it was missing. What a relief that would be to the elderly husband!

We started to walk back through the hospital. I was told that our patient refused a wheelchair. I smiled. He wanted to walk out of that place himself! 

How very grateful we are to be finished with another one of our hospital visits!  It is wonderful to be home. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

For detailed help in caring for the ill, from my Mother's example - A Comforting Sick Room.

A Blessing - The Light in a Messy House.

Unwanted Advice for the Family - Quieting Myself for the Good of Others.

 

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