She:
Stands at his bedside and smiles. She is a small thing, dressed in a gray silk blouse and navy cotton slacks. Gray hair frames a lined face in carefully layered and teased curls. She must tip her stylist well. Not one hair runs astray. She holds her husbands hand and watches me explain to him again why he must take his breathing treatment.
He:
Frets and argues, not right in the head. He doesn’t understand. His feet hurt and he can’t remember me from thirty minutes ago. When she lets go of his hand for a moment his voice crescendos in anguish.
I:
Take my time with him. I talk gently, as to a small child, yet respectfully, as though he were in his right mind. I don’t lose my patience. I understand that he hears my instructions for the first time - every time.
She:
Thanks me for my patience and tells me that they will be going home today. She beams, although she will be his only caregiver most of the time.
“I’ll be glad to do it. He has been taking care of me all these years. It’s time to return the favor.”
Her smile is genuine. It radiates warmth and conviction. She has no doubt that life with him will tax her resources, but she wills herself strong. I look into her eyes and believe her. I give her as much information as I can, about home care, supplies, hiring good help, and she listens eagerly. There is more than patience in her voice, more than kindness, more than determination. It resonates with depth and devotion. Her bearing reveals pride and yet she bends in humility toward the patient in his hospital bed.
The Nurse:
Offers alternatives. Gives names and addresses of long term care facilities – nursing homes. Fooled by the lady’s frail appearance, says, “You are taking on too much.”
She:
Politely, but firmly rejects all efforts to find placement for him. She stands her ground with the grace of a warrior who speaks softly and yet will not yield. Fierce in her protection of him, she steps between him and the nurse.
He:
Anxiously reaches for her hand again and begs, “Please don’t leave! Don’t leave me.”
She:
Bends over the bed and whispers soothing words to ease his distress. “I’m right here, honey. I’m right here.”
I:
Am compelled to bow when I exit the room, recognizing a true Samurai, who embodies the spirit of the Code of Bushido.
***
We serve those whom we protect. We give our deepest loyalty to those who need us most. We shelter them with our strength and our will and we embrace them with our tenderness. A Samurai seeks to serve a master. If we live Samurai, we must devote ourselves to serve and we serve those who are in our most intimate care.
My son is my master. I step to his bedside each day and bring him the best of what I am. Those who wish to harm him I will tear asunder, while I welcome those who show him kindness and mercy. I speak only love to him who needs me so desperately. I am bonded to him with my life and my soul.
To live Samurai, you must find your master. You will bring to him or her your very best and serve him or her with all your heart and soul. Your master is your first priority. You will lay down your life and smile. You will serve and your heart will burn with joy.
Stands at his bedside and smiles. She is a small thing, dressed in a gray silk blouse and navy cotton slacks. Gray hair frames a lined face in carefully layered and teased curls. She must tip her stylist well. Not one hair runs astray. She holds her husbands hand and watches me explain to him again why he must take his breathing treatment.
He:
Frets and argues, not right in the head. He doesn’t understand. His feet hurt and he can’t remember me from thirty minutes ago. When she lets go of his hand for a moment his voice crescendos in anguish.
I:
Take my time with him. I talk gently, as to a small child, yet respectfully, as though he were in his right mind. I don’t lose my patience. I understand that he hears my instructions for the first time - every time.
She:
Thanks me for my patience and tells me that they will be going home today. She beams, although she will be his only caregiver most of the time.
“I’ll be glad to do it. He has been taking care of me all these years. It’s time to return the favor.”
Her smile is genuine. It radiates warmth and conviction. She has no doubt that life with him will tax her resources, but she wills herself strong. I look into her eyes and believe her. I give her as much information as I can, about home care, supplies, hiring good help, and she listens eagerly. There is more than patience in her voice, more than kindness, more than determination. It resonates with depth and devotion. Her bearing reveals pride and yet she bends in humility toward the patient in his hospital bed.
The Nurse:
Offers alternatives. Gives names and addresses of long term care facilities – nursing homes. Fooled by the lady’s frail appearance, says, “You are taking on too much.”
She:
Politely, but firmly rejects all efforts to find placement for him. She stands her ground with the grace of a warrior who speaks softly and yet will not yield. Fierce in her protection of him, she steps between him and the nurse.
He:
Anxiously reaches for her hand again and begs, “Please don’t leave! Don’t leave me.”
She:
Bends over the bed and whispers soothing words to ease his distress. “I’m right here, honey. I’m right here.”
I:
Am compelled to bow when I exit the room, recognizing a true Samurai, who embodies the spirit of the Code of Bushido.
***
We serve those whom we protect. We give our deepest loyalty to those who need us most. We shelter them with our strength and our will and we embrace them with our tenderness. A Samurai seeks to serve a master. If we live Samurai, we must devote ourselves to serve and we serve those who are in our most intimate care.
My son is my master. I step to his bedside each day and bring him the best of what I am. Those who wish to harm him I will tear asunder, while I welcome those who show him kindness and mercy. I speak only love to him who needs me so desperately. I am bonded to him with my life and my soul.
To live Samurai, you must find your master. You will bring to him or her your very best and serve him or her with all your heart and soul. Your master is your first priority. You will lay down your life and smile. You will serve and your heart will burn with joy.
