Had an interesting experience today; and since BGP has always been my therapy-of -choice, I thought I'd share it with you, and maybe we could discuss it. First, a little background.

 

I've been going to a doctor since mid-July (for an ongoing, but lessening problem) on a weekly, and now semi-weekly basis. So, I've been there maybe 9 or 10 times in that span. The doctor has a staff of nurses, medical assistants and other care workers who deal with the patients' therapy, do their assessments, that sort of thing.

 

Well, the first person we met there was a male nurse, who I will call Allen. He quickly became one of the most interesting people I'd ever met. He is highly educated, has lived all over the world, held a multitude of wildly different jobs, and is just really, "different." Now, here he is working in the medical field, helping people, and he loves it.

 

Allen, though like I said very highly educated, is admittedly, a very forgetful guy -- he asks where I live at every visit -- and something of a bumbler. There's a machine that I have to spend 45 minutes attached to during each visit. One day, about 35 minutes into the treatment, we realized Allen had forgotten to turn the machine on. :lol:

 

Despite his quirks, Allen is a really nice person. He is kind to a fault; he goes out of his way to make sure you're comfortable and taken care of. He loves to chat, laugh and have fun. And he is always willing to laugh at himself and admit his own foibles. Allen has always been part of what makes going to this doctor a more pleasant experience.

 

Another person we met the first day, was a twenty-something nurse who I'll call, Karen. She is so kind, so sweet and so willing to make sure everything is done just right. She's the kind of nurse that I wish every nurse could be. I really got to be good friends with Karen in the first four weeks or so of my visits. Of course, it didn't hurt that she was incredibly cute...but I digress.

 

A few weeks ago, Karen informed us that she was moving to Colorado in a week or so. I would see her only one more time. When that day came, I gave her a note, telling her what a great nurse I thought she was, thanking her, and wishing her well. Saying goodbye, even after just those few visits, was quite difficult and emotional. I assumed I'd never see her again. My note would have to serve as everything I would ever say to this sweet young girl who I'd grown quite fond of. (She's half my age, so no, it wasn't a crush. )

 

Several weeks have passed since I saw Karen, but Allen is still there, and always has my same room pre-set up for me. He and I love to talk about our favorite movies. A while back, I told him about one of my favorites, titled "My Cousin Vinny". He has never seen it, so I promised to let him borrow it. I forgot to bring it to the last visit, so I made sure to have it with me today.

 

When we got to the office, it was one of those odd days that is, at the same time, warm and biting cold. The wind was blustery, but the fall sun was warm and inviting. We got into the reception area where there seemed to be some new desk staff waiting for us. They acted different and something seemed out of sorts. Eventually, one of the nurses came out and told us to go on back to "my room." I figured Allen would be back there finishing the set-up as always.

 

Allen wasn't there. The machine wasn't set up. I guess he had the day off for some reason. The nurse soon came in...and I casually asked if Allen was off today.

 

She stopped...looked me in the eyes, and said quietly, "Allen passed away last weekend." I clutched the movie I'd brought him and tucked it under a blanket. I couldn't believe it. He was such a happy person. It made no sense...never will. Allen was planning on traveling the world after his elderly father passed. He talked of his plans often. My doctor said, "He's doing that now...just in a different way."

 

The nurse went on to say how short-handed his death had left them, but that, fortunately, Karen had offered to come all the way back from Colorado to help them out for a short time.

 

Moments later, Karen turned the corner and stood there in the doorway, with a gentle smile that faded in the moment. I couldn't believe this was happening either. You talk about a maelstrom of emotion! On one hand, I was so over-joyed to see her again, yet at the same time, still in shock at what I'd just been told. Karen told me how my letter had made her cry. She uses it for a bookmark and likes to read it from time to time. She said she'd always treasure it: that made me feel good. I wrote that letter with the mindset that this was someone who was out of my life forever. I figured I'd never know if my words of encouragement had touched her.

 

Karen will be gone again before my next visit, but she gave me her email and Facebook, so I now have a friend (I hope) for life. I guess you could say that Allen had given me this gift...but I can't say I like thinking of it that way.

 

I didn't write this to ask for sympathy, prayers or support. I don't feel I knew him well enough to merit such kindnesses. I guess I just wrote this to ponder the mystery of people coming into your life, leaving their mark and then fading away...or being taken away without warning. Appreciate everyone who is important to you at the moment -- even if it's only been a day. You just never know when your paths will grow apart. You never know when you'll lose what you have. I learned that lesson today...in the strangest of ways.

Edited September 30, 200917 yr by Birdsfan

Wow. What an incredible turn of events. I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend--I can only imagine what kind of bond you must have formed. Was he sick, or was it an accident, or something else?

Wow. What an incredible turn of events. I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend--I can only imagine what kind of bond you must have formed. Was he sick, or was it an accident, or something else?

Something else.

Had an interesting experience today; and since BGP has always been my therapy-of -choice, I thought I'd share it with you, and maybe we could discuss it. First, a little background.

 

I've been going to a doctor since mid-July (for an ongoing, but lessening problem) on a weekly, and now semi-weekly basis. So, I've been there maybe 9 or 10 times in that span. The doctor has a staff of nurses, medical assistants and other care workers who deal with the patients therapy, do their assessments, that sort of thing.

 

Well, the first person we met there was a male nurse, who I will call Allen. He quickly became one of the most interesting characters I'd ever met. He is highly educated, has lived all over the world, held a multitude of wildly different jobs, and is just really, "different." Now, here he is working in the medical field, helping people, and he loves it.

 

Allen, though like I said, very highly educated, is admittedly, a very forgetful guy -- he asks where I live at every visit -- and something of a bumbler. There's a machine that I have to spend 45 minutes attached to during each visit. One day, about 35 minutes into the treatment, we realized Allen had forgotten to turn the machine on. :lol:

 

Despite his quirks, Allen is a really nice person. He is kind to a fault; he goes out of his way to make sure you're comfortable and taken care of. He loves to chat, laugh and have fun. And he is always willing to laugh at himself and admit his own foibles. Allen has always been part of what makes going to this doctor a more pleasant experience.

 

Another person we met the first day, was a cute twenty-something nurse who I'll call, Karen. She is so kind, so sweet and so willing to make sure everything is done just right. She's the kind of nurse that I wish every nurse could be. I really got to be good friends with Karen in the first four weeks or so of my visits. Of course, it didn't hurt that she was incredibly cute...but I digress.

 

A few weeks ago, Karen informed us that she was moving to Colorado in a week or so. I would see her only one more time. When that day came, I gave her a note, telling her what a great nurse I thought she was, thanking her, and wishing her well. Saying goodbye, even after just those few visits, was quite difficult and emotional. I assumed I'd never see her again. My note would have to serve as everything I would ever say to this sweet young girl who I'd grown quite fond of. (She's half my age, so no, it wasn't a crush. )

 

Several weeks have passed since I saw Karen, but Allen is still there, and always has my same room pre-set up for me. He and I love to talk about our favorite movies. A while back, I told him about one of my favorites, "My Cousin Vinny". He has never seen it, so I promised to let him borrow it. I forgot to bring it at the last visit, so I made sure to have it with me today.

 

When we got to the office, it was one of those odd days that is, at the same time, warm and biting cold. The wind was blustery, but the fall sun was warm and inviting. We got into the waiting area where there seemed to be some new desk staff waiting for us. They acted different and something seemed out of sorts. Eventually, one of the nurses came out and told us to go on back to "my room." I figured Allen would be back there finishing the set-up as always.

 

Allen wasn't there. The machine wasn't set up. I guess he had the day off for some reason. The nurse soon came in...and I asked casually if Allen was off.

 

She stopped...looked me in the eyes, and said quietly, "Allen passed away last weekend." I clutched the movie I'd brought him and tucked it under a blanket. I couldn't believe it. He was such a happy person. It made no sense...never will. Allen was planning on traveling the world after his elderly father passed. He talked of his plans often. My doctor said, "He's doing that now...just in a different way."

 

The nurse went on to say how short-handed his death had left them, but that, fortunately, Karen had offered to come all the way back from Colorado to help them out for a short time.

 

Moments later, Karen turned the corner and stood there in the doorway, with a gentle smile that faded in the moment. I couldn't believe this was happening either. You talk about a maelstrom of emotion! On one hand, I was so over-joyed to see her again, yet at the same time, still in shock at what I'd just been told. Karen told me how my letter to her had made her cry. She uses it for a bookmark and likes to read it from time to time. She said she'd always treasure it: that made me feel good. I wrote that letter with the mindset that this was someone who was out of my life forever. I figured I'd never know if my words of encouragement had touched her.

 

Karen will be gone again before my next visit, but she gave me here email and Facebook, so I now have a friend (I hope) for life. I guess you could say that Allen had given me this gift...but I can't say I like thinking of it that way.

 

I didn't write this to ask for sympathy, prayers or support. I don't feel I knew him well enough to merit such kindnesses. I guess I just wrote this to ponder the mystery of people coming into your life, leaving their mark and then fading away...or being taken away without warning. Appreciate everyone who is important to you at the moment -- even if it's only been a day. You just never know when your paths will grow apart. You never know when you'll lose what you have. I learned that lesson today...in the strangest of ways.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience. Your story has me reflecting on similar meetings and partings on my path through life. Sometimes a hard thing to do.

Birdsfan, I appreciate you sharing your story like malachicrunch you've given me cause to pause and reflect back on similar meetings and partings. My dad use to say that people spend so much of their life saying 'hello' and 'goodbye' but remembering times in between make life extra special.

I've had some strange characters cross my path..you being one of them...and I can tell you that I treasure each of them...including you. Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful story with us.

 

You touch so many peoples lives and have made us all better people because of it. When my days on earth on done I will always be so proud to have had such a wonderful person as you as my friend.

You touch so many peoples lives and have made us all better people because of it. When my days on earth on done I will always be so proud to have had such a wonderful person as you as my friend.

 

Getting deep in here...

 

 

Getting deep in here...

Hey now! I have groupies too ya know.

Getting deep in here...

 

 

I actually meant every word of what I said and I didn't say it lightly. :irked:

Awesome story BF. :thumb:

I actually meant every word of what I said and I didn't say it lightly. :irked:

 

I know RK. Just messin' with BF...

I think one of the biggest shortcomings in life is often times we don't take the time to get to know the little people in our lives that make a big difference.

Wow BF. Thank you for sharing. I am sorry to hear of your friend's passing. I 100% agree of how people seem to come into our life for no apparent reason but touch your heart more than you can ever imagine.

 

You are one of those people! :thumb:

Thank you for sharing those experiences with friends BF. I too have crossed paths with people in my life that I know I was meant to meet for one reason or another. Sometimes we run across these individuals and don't think much about it untill after the fact and then we will see it.

After reading your story this will make me more attentive as I hope it will others to there might just be a reason for that "chance" meeting and a developing fiendship that any one of us may encounter.

I have some friends that I have been close to for 30+,40+ years and they are not considiered friends......just brothers or sisters, not the same blood but we are as close or closer than some families I now will ever be.

I also have ran across some people around medical offices (nurses, lab workers, oher patients, etc..) when I visit dealing with my disease (M.S.) that I appreciate. These are ones that although I don't see them alot they always seem to know if I need a smile or laugh, even a kind word or some words of encourgement and just know what to say.

Finally I feel that I have made some very good friends on bgp, most I may never meet but I feel like we have known each other fo years and years. These have grown in numbers and I would not try to mention all bc I know I would leave some out. I will say that you (BF) and RebelK are definately two of them.

Well, I have "rambled" on again so I will shutup. I jujst wanted to comment on your story and that I can certainly relate. :thumb:

I agree with RebelK that BF is one of those special people we meet in our lives for a reason. The Tot and I have only met BF one time face to face, but what a pleasure for the both of us.

 

Great story to share BF, thanks. Roll on my friend....:thumb::thumb: