My daughter, Ashley is a Certified Nurse's Assistant and has been working at Iredell Memorial Hospital for almost a year. She has always worked third shift and is going to college, also. I am so proud of her and the professional woman she is becoming. As well, she can see that her Mama is still becoming the woman God wants me to be.
My brother in law and his wife recently came for a visit from New Mexico. I invited Linda to join me last Saturday morning to go with me to the hospital to deliver teddy bears to the Emergency Department. It was a good feeling for her to come with me and see first hand the warm reception from the staff and to see the two containers filled to the brim with beautiful, clean, cuddly teddies just waiting for the right person who would appreciate the love and comfort being offered. Now, I'll share with you a story as best as I can recall it.
Ashley called me when she got off work on Sunday morning. She was excited to share with me that she worked in the ER on Saturday night. Among the many other duties she performed in the ER, she told me of a little four year old boy who was brought into the ER in need of stitches. He got up during the night and went to the freezer to get a popsicle. He decided to get a knife to open the package. In doing so, you guessed it, the knife slipped and he cut his finger. He was pretty calm through the whole experience, right up to the point when the doctor had to numb his finger. It required six stitches. At some point, when the stitches were in place, Ashley brought him one of the teddies. She personally selected just the right one for him. As she handed the mom the envelope containing the poem "Nan's Good will Bears", Ashley told the little boy, as he clutched the teddy bear, "My Mommy is the nice lady who brings all of these teddy bears to the hospital". She continued to share "the rest of the story" with them.
It warms my heart to the core to hear stories where children are comforted by my teddies. Kids will be kids. They will get sick and they will get hurt. It has been that way since the first child was born. I am one person and there are a lot of children out there who need to be comforted and loved when they are in urgent need of professional care. All the parents are concerned with is getting their child fixed and feeling better. I know. I've been in their shoes. It is my honor and pleasure to be just one blip on the big screen of life who gives from the heart and expects nothing in return.
May all your days be filled with pleasure and joy. As it says in the Bible. It's better to give than to receive. I just love giving. The more I give, the happier I am.
Have a wonderful day and keep smiling that beautiful smile of yours!! Nan
