A Lesson in Courage~~

You never know when the moment is given to you-a chance to witness great Courage in others~~all you need do is sit still and listen.

This past week found me on the "opposite side" of a hospital bed as my dear Husband went through a medical test.  You always worry-hoping everything is fine and know the only thing you can do is WAIT.

We had a wonderful nurse to do the IV and vitals check of my husband-I noticed the cheerful sound to her voice~~it was the "real" thing because it was very early and nothing was fake about this woman!

She was at the mini-computer, putting in detailed information, talking about how much easier the computers have made this part of a nurse's job~~for whatever reason, my husband started humming the New Year's Eve song-you know its the one Doris Day sang~~~this wonderful nurse whipped around, a delighted smile on her face and she was singing the words, loud and clear!  For whatever reason, we suddenly had a wonderful Trio going, all of us on key and the words flowed, as our song drifted down the hallway of the hospital!

My husband could not explain "why" he started humming that particular song, but the nurse told us it was her favorite song and she sings it with her grandchildren each year.  This was the moment when we
got "Our Lesson in Courage" as she said "I am glad to still be here-working and helping others because I had both breasts removed three weeks ago!  Yep, I start Chemo next week and everything looks great."

The room was filled with too much silence as we both realized the tremendous courage God had instilled in this nurse~~she suddenly noticed my cane and asked why I needed it .  My Husband gave the Fast Version
of Me Falling out of a Tree, Nine Surgeries and constant Chronic Pain~~she took a "long" look at me, and the words came from her were stunning~~  "Oh my-there is No way I could live with Chronic Pain!  What I have been through is nothing compared to suffering with a Pain that will never go away.  You are a very strong woman!"  

I didn't know whether to hug her, or drop to my knees in honor of this woman~~somehow I managed to mumble something about "I have to keep going" and thats when it hit me~~  God was giving me this moment to witness True Courage, and whatever I took from it- well I think HE was leaving that all up to me.  It was time for my husband to leave for his procedure, I gave him a quick kiss on the forehead and just sat~~I needed time to let this moment sink in.

Everything came out on a positive note for my husband-no need for a return checkup for many years and we both thanked God~~I added a special Thank You for having seen Real Courage in  a special woman.

God bless our Singing Nurse.

martha