I spotted them right away. Two ladies who had aged with grace and class. Sisters, no doubt. One was holding reading material. The other embraced a warm blanket. A name was called and they left the room.
In a few minutes another name was called — Roberta Yeagley. That morning we were early so the Chemo Suite was nearly empty. Bert settled into a big comfy recliner and offered her arm up to yet another IV stick.
Across from us were the sisters. One rested comfortably beneath her blanket with an IV already in place. The other lady read from her stack of magazines. A friendly gentlemen settled into his recliner next to the sisters. His jeans were baggy — hinting at weight loss. His smile was hard to miss.
A Hope Resources Center volunteer stopped to visit. “Can I get you coffee, water or something to eat?” he said. I soon gripped the warm cup he offered. We noticed the large scar across his forearm — a reminder of the melanoma that tried to take his life. Now he offered warm conversation and cheer to folks facing a familiar foe.
Our smiling friend said to the volunteer, “Hey, I was here yesterday doing just what you’re doing now.” Really? This man was getting a 3-4 hour infusion that morning and another three days of chemo pumped into his port at home. That routine was being repeated every other week. Perhaps his strongest medicine was caring for others.
The resting sister stirred, so Bert spoke to confirm the obvious, “You gals have got to be sisters.” Smiles crossed their faces and the caregiver said, “No, we’re actually neighbors.”
“That’s what I call really being a neighbor,” I said. “Not something you see very often in today’s world.” We talked briefly about a changing world where neighbors seldom know or care for each other.
The room grew quiet again. Nurses greeted patients who settled into their recliners. Bags of chemo dripped into veins around the room. I couldn’t help but remember those red letters in my Bible — “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39
Two graceful ladies who had aged with grace and class — and the love of God!