Three Little Letters….
In our crazy world today three little letters can relay many emotions. OMG. LOL. WTF. Yesterday I got one of those messages. An older three letters than many of it’s contemporaries, but far more powerful. ICU. To some this instills fear, others hope. To me it meant comfort. My brother in law Earl was moved to the ICU to comfort his exit from this world. Years of smoking left his lungs almost nonfunctional, and what little that was working was compromised by infection. His son, Dr. Tony met me and said although he is heavily medicated, and in and out of consciousness, he did get to have a final conversation with his wife and three kids at his bed side. I was relieved. Now the waiting game was on. During this I received a gift. I witnessed something that touched my soul. In-between pain meds, Earl woke up and tried to sit up. My sister, and his children helped and propped him up with pillows. His voice was soft, but not shaken. His eyes were intense, but not fearful. My sister, a deeply religious person was telling him not to worry. They were going to be OK. He would celebrate his upcoming birthday with God. There would be no more pain. No more tubes or tanks. More importantly that they, his family was going to be OK. Earl struggled to move his arm. Pale, bruised from IV ports my niece and nephew freed his arm from the restless patient gown and blanket. Slowly his hand came to rest on my sisters back in a hug. At that point I felt the purest form of love we as humans can experience. His wife of 42 years telling him they would be OK and he believing.
I was witness to pure and raw love and it left me wondering if MY soul was capable of something so pure. I would like to think so. I don’t know. One thing is for sure. I was given a glimpse at something pure and that gift will forever inspire to always try harder while I inhabit this planet.
About 7:30 this morning Earl left us. Gibson family thank you for this gift.
Rest in peace Earl. Happy Birthday!
This so touched my heart