Dear God,

Please grant me the strength and courage to continue on my course. I am overwhelmed with sorrow and grief when I look into the eyes of suffering. John's wide smile greeted me today when walking down the hallway......a little man, so gentle, sitting in his wheelchair eating cookies. He once told us that his mother was always in the kitchen. One day I'll be looking for his smile and he won't be there any longer.

I helped Mr. Goodman to bed, walking with him trying to stay in step with his tiny steps. I took off his shoes and opened his mail for him. A lovely card from a family member. Mr. Goodman likes to ring the nurses bell, it's a game to him. The nurses aren't happy with Mr. Goodman.

My new found friend, Polo, is dying. I saw him in the hallway and asked if he was okay. His dementia told me that people have been hurting him. He said, "I was a Marine, I will carry on, but I don't want to be hurt anymore. I wish they would stop." I stopped to speak with him on my way out........he cried and held my hand. He said I was a good woman, I said to him that he was a good man. Will he be there when I return to visit again?

Tears, tears and more tears.............my heart aches so much for these gentle souls. I think of my Dad and his suffering, the pain I feel is so deep, as if my heart is being strangled.

I now feel the same thing for all these strangers that are now a part of my life.