Day 407

These two pups are exhausted...in the best possible way!

Lilly spent time with her dear friend over at Walker and helped him as he talked about the loss of his wife last week. We had a meaningful conversation with some smiles, some tears and lots of Golden Love!

Rushing home to trade off dogs, I donned my Mercy Hospital Volunteer outfit and we were off! We arrived late, but made up for lost time by plotting our course of action. Administration, West Wing, East Wing, up elevators and down again, and then a focus on certain requests. As we took a deep breath and headed down the elevator one last time to end our shift, a couple joined us. She had tears in her eyes and asked if we visited rooms by request. I smiled and asked about her loved one. By the time the doors opened on 1st floor, two people got off...but a dog and his mama headed back up!

We always check with the charge nurse to make sure a visit is allowed. When we asked about the room we hoped to visit, the nurse actually had the saddest expression and told us that, perhaps, we could make a sad, sad boy a little happier. Off we went!

Knocking on the door to the room, we noticed a technician at work on the many tubes and monitors set up beside the bed. I first looked at him and said we could come back when he was finished. He responded with an emphatic "No! Please come in! You will not be in my way at all!" We paused inside the door, because we would have been in the way, but he hurried through his administrations and welcomed us by moving a number of machines and tubes to the side.

I was glad that I had the time to assess the situation and come up with a plan. The young man (perhaps in his early 20's) in the bed was broken...bones and spirit. He looked our way and silent tears began to flow down his cheeks. Reaching out to Ranger, we silently approached the bed and let the big dog offer his love. No words were exchanged until he had his moment with his one free hand stroking that golden fur.

Finally, he looked at me and I asked him how he had ended up in that hospital bed. He said one word, "Motorcycle," and then the tears began again. It took every ounce of Mama Effort to refrain from placing my hand on his forehead and telling him it would be alright, but I succeeded. Instead I told him how sorry I was, but that I had met his parents and they were so thankful that he had survived. He nodded and then gave his attention back to Ranger.

After some more Golden Love, I asked a few questions about his hospital stay. I discovered that he had been there for three weeks and might be released with a week or two. Then he started to pour his heart out.

He said, "I can't walk! I just can't! My arm doesn't really work and I can't do anything for myself. I don't know what to do!" More tears fell.

Realizing his desperation, I decided to be his cheerleader for the day. I asked him if the doctors believed he would walk again and he nodded. I inquired about the arm and other injuries. He responded by telling me that he would need PT for a long time. We talked a at length about how he seemed like a fighter and that he could win this battle. I don't know if he felt a bit lighter by the time we left, but we got a smile or two!

What makes people strong? Are they born that way? Are there certain battles that might make someone stronger? Have there been role models, life events or personal heroes who have helped some individuals to be resolute in their fight?

When it comes right down to it, most of us have an inner strength that we can conjure up when we are faced with challenges. However, it is that village surrounding us that helps us put one foot in front of the other, whether literally or figuratively.

Here's to the strength from within!

Here's to the village that lightens our load!

Here's to a young man with a long road ahead that will find that strength and lean on his village to walk again. Ranger and I believe he is going to do just that!