Caring Friends

Bert had a warm and engaging personality. Until last year, he was very healthy for a man in his late 80’s. He was still living at home, able to care for himself. In fact, he had just taken a very nice woman (my mother – I fixed them up!) on a first date, and was looking forward to taking her out again. Then, he got a serious foot infection, followed by hospitalization, surgery and rehab in a skilled nursing facility.

Of course, he had a difficult time adjusting to leaving his home, losing his ability to walk, and being away from his friends. But he made many new friends as he brightened the lives of many other residents. Everyone wanted to hang out with him. He ate dinner every night at a table filled with his new buddies, and he never lacked the attention of women residents.

But the weeks of rehab turned into months. There were more trips to the hospital, an amputation of one leg, a partial amputation of his other foot. As he became weaker and even more immobile, he bravely tried to keep up his own spirits and the spirits of everyone who loved him; but his losses were taking their toll.

Bert had been an infrequent church-goer, but through conversations with a minister at the care home, he came to an assurance of eternal life by faith in Jesus. I saw the change in him almost immediately – a peace that I had not seen before.

Although his spiritual condition was being renewed, his physical condition continued to deteriorate. Bert was still clinging to hope of going home, but finally he knew this hope was gone. He was too weak to leave his room, and instead of going out to engage with people, he was often confined to his bed.

Julie, another resident, wheeled into Bert’s room one afternoon to visit. She found him in tears. This brave man, who had been so kind to others, was overwhelmed by all his pain and sickness. He wept, heartbroken. Julie took his hand, told him it was ok to cry and wept along with him.

Julie understood Bert’s pain, for she also had her foot amputated, is partly paralyzed and has little hope of returning home. She often mourns her own great pain and losses. But she has been ministered to many times by visitors from this ministry and has found hope in Jesus through her painful trials.

Both Bert and Julie turned their own pain into empathy for others. Empathy is a powerful force for emotional healing. Listening as people express their painful emotions, comforting with touch and words; these are the balms that wounded healers employ with skill and tenderness.

Thank you, volunteers and supporters, for your compassion for residents like Bert and Julie who, in turn, care for so many of their fellow residents. All of us are part of the body of Christ; sometimes wounded and broken, yet, by His grace, we continue to share in the fellowship of His healing love.  ~ Arlene Sikorski