Remembering all those who have given their all for our liberty and freedoms
Posted on 11/11/2002 7:07:50 AM PST by Robe
On this day, above all others, this quote seems most appropriate..
War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things.
The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings.
which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse.
A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight,
nothing is more important that his own personal safety,
is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free.
unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men that himself.
John Mills
I hope you don't mind, I'm saving it to use later.
Thanks
Patient Alert ~ 217
He lay quietly, seemingly lifeless, the occasional breath made a slight movement to his chest, which was barely noticeable to the eye. A lifetime etched upon his face, his skin translucent, his body frail. Jack Spencer slowly opened his eyes to look down the hallway where his hospital gurney had been left, feeling no pain, just tiredness from living so long.
Entering his 83rd year, a veteran of WW2, he had lived a full life. Despite his apparent condition, Jack had plenty going on inside his mind.
His eyes focused as a nurse came into view, approaching she said, “Mr. Spencer..Just going to take you to your room, are you ready for a ride,” she laughed lightly.
Her laughter took his thoughts back to days when he shared his happiness with family and friends, now he lay alone, he missed his wife’s smile and laughter and life seemed empty now.
Jack Spencer lay quietly, he did not move his eyes to follow her as she moved to the bottom of his bed. “Hang on! I’ll be right back Mr. Spencer.”
Suddenly he became aware of someone else standing alongside him, yet he didn’t have the inclination to turn and look. The nurse approaching again and the gurney moving backwards allowed him to see a tall fair-haired man, lightly clothed, his hands clasped in front of him, a gentle smile, standing motionless as Jack traveled backwards to his assigned room.
The figure becoming a blur in the distance as the nurse made her way through the security doors of the extended care wing. The nursing staff slipped in and out of Jack’s room, “there is no peace in a hospital,” he thought.
The wing that would become his home, a holding cell for souls awaiting they’re flight home, was filled with sad cases of people awaiting the exit of life, not necessarily sick, merely worn out and seemingly uninterested in the decaying frames they once cherished.
The day was long, Jack’s bed was alongside a window that looked out onto a finely manicured lawn and sitting area, but he couldn’t see the lawn or seating area laying almost flat on his back. Instead, he watched the sky change like a kaleidoscope; fluffy white clouds passed by his view as the colors changed in the daylight.
The aroma of food began to waft into his room, soon after a robust woman entered his room carrying a tray and the biggest smile he had ever seen.
“Hello there Jack, you don’t mind if I call you Jack do you? It’s just that the people in here are like family ta me and I would be happy to call you Jack, if that’s okay with you?” she said, her voice ending on a high note with the anticipation of a reply.
Jack quietly answered “that’s fine”. He had little interest in eating but asked for his false teeth anyway.
“Good Lord, did they leave ya in here minus your choppers Jack?” she laughed “It’s a good job I brought you a nice soft supper then, you won’t be needing teeth for this.” she said. “You be needing any help to eat this Jack?” she asked as she raised the back of his bed and placed a tray in front of him.
“I’ll be fine.” He replied. Okay then! I’ll be back in a few; by the way, my name is Mary.
Mary had an Irish accent, tempered after years in America, yet distinguishable and undeniable. Jack had recognized it immediately; he had known many an Irishman during the war and was fond of the lilt.
Supper looked unappetizing, it didn’t matter he didn’t have any desire to eat anyway. As Jack sipped his tea, even though it didn’t have the four sugars he liked, Mary returned to the room and fussed about him not having eaten a bite.
“Gracious me Jack, you’ll get me bleeding fired, you have to eat something or I’ll get in heck from my boss here, come on, open up, take a taste of this”. Sensing she was a woman who would not take no for an answer, he opened his mouth to accept the green Jello.
“ Soooo Jack, have you always lived in Indianapolis?” He nodded.
“Ever been out of Indianapolis? I’m always interested where people have been, never know, I may want to take a trip and visit a place or two if it sounds good” she prattled on.
Swallowing the last spoonful first, Jack asked her where in Ireland she was from. “I’m from Dublin, but I’ve lived in America for a long time. Is my accent that obvious then Jack?” she laughed, Jack broke into a smile, it felt so good to smile again.
I would recognize that accent anywhere said Jack, I was stationed in the UK and had a few good buddies from Ireland during the war.”
“You ever been to Ireland Jack, God I miss the place at times.” She sighed.
Jack smiled, “ I sure have, even kissed the “Blarney Stone”, in fact, I almost fell in, being drunk at the time” he mused.
“Yeah good memories of the place,” they both laughed and enjoyed the moment.
Mary was a woman approaching retirement, who had long accepted her role in the process of life and felt it an honor to assist people through their last months.
“Is there anything else I can do for youz Jack?” she said as she reclined his bed slightly.“
No Mary, I’m fine,” he replied.
The days turned into weeks, the weeks into months, and soon Jack had lost track of how long he had been there, he had no visitors.
Mary entered his room with the same enthusiasm regularly, ad she was like a breathe of spring in the midst of a winters storm and Jack’s heart always felt a little lighter when he saw her. But As the months past, Jack faded a little more; he spent more time asleep.
Mary loved her job and one day brought in potted plants she had put together at home to fill the windows in the room.
In waking. his thoughts were filled with glimpses of his life, which now seemed so distant. He was pleased to view the plants and watch them grow. It made him think of the times his Beth worked potting bulbs and plants.
The sun was up and Jack opened his eyes slowly, unsure if he was happy to experience it or not yet again, it had become a morning ritual.
He had always been an early riser, running the farm had cause for a strong constitution and to be up at the crack of dawn, hard habits to break. Jack had loved the farm and especially loved raising horses.
As he lay motionless, a familiar scent became apparent to him, as if spring had just walked into the room. A hand touched his own, causing him to flinch and raise his eyes.
“Hello Jack” a soft-spoken voice said. A face came into view in front of him, and Jack recognized it as the young man he had seen months before in the hall.
“It’s almost time to go home Jack” he heard the voice say.
“Home?” repeated Jack, “But I sold the farm” he said.
In a moment the face was gone. Jack dosed off to sleep in the comfort of his memories and the arms of his sweet Beth. Jack married Beth right out of high school. They had grown up together and been inseparable from the age of 7.
After the war, they raised two sons. Jimmy was killed in a hunting accident in the 70’s and Randy had suffered a fatal heart attack last year. Sweet Beth had passed on ten years prior, and time had been Jack’s only companion.
Mary propped Jack up on a mound of pillows and carefully placed a straw to his lips.
“There you are Jack, I be bringing ya your breakfast, take a sip, it’s banana whippy, and I know you liked this one best.” He always felt encouraged to make an effort for Mary.
As Jack looked at Mary, he noticed standing alongside her, the tall blonde man he was now seeing for the third time. Jack returned a smile to the man, then closed his eyes and faded off to sleep once again.
In and out of sleep as the days passed, uncertain if in dream or reality anymore, Jack asked Mary who was the young man that accompanied her each time she entered the room.
Mary’s heart sank a little, as this had not been the first time a patient had began this line of questioning and she knew only too well what was to follow.
“Mary, did you know I’m going home soon?” Jack stated. Mary took caution in her reply and Jack continued on, “But I have sold the farm, so I can’t be going there, I can only think of one other home it could be Mary” he said.
Mary gently smiled, holding back a tear and remaining silent for the moment. Mary took Jack’s hand in her own and placed her other atop of it, she gently massaged his hand and said, “Jack, the good Lord gives and he takes away, and he keeps those dear to his heart close to him.”]
Jack nodded and Mary adjusted the monitor to his right and did her best to cheer the room.
It was 5a.m; the light in the room was dim, Jack gently stirred and seeing the face of the young man he heard, said “Hello my friend."
Jack wondered if this was dream. No word had passed his lips, yet he was met with a reply, ”No Jack, not a dream!"
Jack’s thoughts traveled through a lifetime, he saw his life captured in frames, and he smiled in the warmth of all he had been blessed with.
“Jack, you have missed a time or two, take your mind back to November 1943.”
Some 60 years had passed, yet in an instant Jack could recall the day as if it were just moments ago. November 3rd thought Jack.
“Yes” he heard the voice say. “You gave all you had to give that day, selflessly, to a man you didn’t even know.”
Jack recalled a soldier lying shot in the field, his scrambling across the darkness to save him. Little wonder he had recalled that Irish accent all these years, Kenny O’Hare - “Paddy” as he had called him, reclaimed his life that day because of Jack, who had worked on him to keep him alive, despite the danger to himself.
All the good Jack had done in his years were now to be viewed, things he had not even given a second thought to all these years, suddenly recalled.
“Who are you,” thought Jack. “You will remember me soon Jack, you know me well.”
“Am I going home?” asked Jack, “Of course” replied the man with a soft smile as he took Jack’s hand.
Jack momentarily thought of Mary, the robust Nursing Aide who had made his last days bearable. A smile came to his lips as he recalled her voice and wit.
“One more thing Jack” the man said, “Paddy O’Hare went on to raise a family, and Mary is one of his daughters.” Jack lay there feeling the warmth of contentment and glee of amazement.
The Intercom bellowed out a familiar message, “PATIENT ALERT- 217, PATIENT ALERT- 217“
Mary had just come on the floor to begin her shift, it was 6a.m. She hurried to room 217, Jack’s room.
Jack took his last breath…
“Just exhale Jack and we’ll be off.” said the voice. Jack was ready for his next adventure.
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