At Albany Medical Center

Negotiate

power nurse
at the helm

subs a-watching …
for some scraps of power
drifting down
scoop them up
wear them like a badge
for the poking order of the day

Patients tethered
to IV’s, toilet hats, measurements, needles, hourly pin-pricks
chained in between gated beds
waiting for Doctor signatures that switch
treatments toward a healthy discharge.

no supplements are allowed from home
and an attempt is made to lock them up
If they should assert themselves

patients need to comply
nurses need to be patient
together they have to give and take;
give trust; take hope

negotiate!

Mothers

from the AARP

.

My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”… Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep.

When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl?

When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way … remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day… the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through.

If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you.

And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad… just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you … my darling daughter.

Original text in Spanish and photo by Guillermo Peña.
Translation to English by Sergio Cadena

Sharing Grows Soul: Giggles Erupt

“He’s not heavy; he’s my brother!”

Feed the hungry.
There’s plenty for my brother-my sister.

Romans 12:9-21
Let love be genuine
Hold fast to good
Show honor
Be ardent in spirit
Patient in suffering
Persevere in prayer
Contribute
Extend hospitality
Bless your persecutors
Weep with the sad
Live in harmony
Overcome evil with good!

On Saturday,
we heard the giggles as the Taoist group emerged from the car.
They came 3 hours up to Hudson NY to celebrate and share their lunch.
Innocents sharing lunch.
Honorables listening.
Patiently holding hunger.
The purity shined in their eyes.

Then on Sunday,
the 5 year old lifted her 3 year old brother;
presented him to the camera as
a celebration of trust, brotherhood and nurturing.

The JOY radiated!