Annie. Definitely not little orphan Annie either. Let me give you some background on my life and where Annie comes in. I was in Swedish Hospital having a heart procedure done. I was alone, and the person who had brought me to the hospital had gone. I had put many of my affairs to rest and had my life in order. If anything were to go wrong my son would be taken care of. He will have a home and a large sum of money as he got older. The only problem as I was being prepped for the procedure was that I was alone. No matter how hard I tried I could not avoid being scared. I put on a strong front but inside the whole time I was scared. Scared for what, I am not sure. More than likely it was the unknown. No matter how many times I told myself nothing was going to happen, I wasn't sure of it.
I sat in a room waiting. I was as ready as I was going to get. As I sat there shaking more so from fear, and what I thought was cold but I think I was only cold due to the fact that I was scared. Now and then a doctor or nurse would come in to talk to me. As I sat in that room with alot of time to think the more frightened I became. No matter how much strength I showed on the outside Annie was the only one who saw what was going on on the inside.
This shorter woman stood in my doorway waiting for me to come out of my solemn reverie, I had hit bottom (which for me is very difficult to do). I had pushed most of my friends away when I actually needed them. I never told anyone but 2 people where I stood on all of this, where all my legal papers were. She stood there waiting until I was able to bring myself back to the real world. She came in and sat down, made herself comfortable in the chair nearest to me. She started talking then drawing me into conversation. She continued on and on until it was time for me to be taken into surgery. She held onto my hand and told me it was going to be ok. I was still scared but not nearly as much as I was before.
After my procedure she returned. She asked about who was there with me. When I told her no one I had a ride home she lectured me. In times of need you keep the ones you care about close. She left that day with, a smile and "take care of yourself." I didn't see her again until the next time I was in the hospital.
I again was alone and in comes Annie. She asked again what I was there for but I knew my situation was no where near as critical as the time before. Her and I had more time to talk. I learned more about Annie.
Annie had congenital heart disease and was on a donor list for a heart. No matter what was going on around her Annie was always in a good mood. She was a patient at the hospital frequently. She would walk around the area that dealt with people with heart conditions and talk. I had no idea what she was dealing with, yet she was there for me in what I consider a very minor thing compared to hers. I feel guilty to this day for being scared.
I can't put into enough words the warmth and comfort she gave. Her free spirited nature and much more. I would talk to her now and then when she would return my calls. I know nothing more of her than the little she actually shared.
I received the call that she passed away from heart failure 2 days ago. You would have thought I lost my best friend hearing that news. How do you put into words how much someone means to you yet they are only in your life for mere moments. It's amazing the difference that one person can make.
I know at her memorial service there will be standing room only. She touched so many and even as briefly as she touched my life I will be there as well to pay my last respects. I will never be a part of her life like she was mine. Annie was my guardian angel that day.
Thank you Annie!
No comments:
Post a Comment