Thank you, Geena. I must admit that I was very disappointed.

I have an idea... Let's make a Group Project out of getting Joy a day job! Please PM me if any of you know of a sweet little nurse manager job in a small-to-medium rural hospital. If truth be told, my heart's home is with the Native American people of very rural areas. It would be an honor beyond my ability to describe to be allowed to serve in such a place.

Let me tell you all about a marvelous privilege I was recently given:

I just happened to be walking through the E.D. waiting room. There I found a large number of quietly upset Native American people, some young, some middle-aged, and two old. I introduced myself to the oldest person and asked if there was anything I could do to help. The old man looked at a middle-aged man, who looked at a middle-aged woman who, in turn, spoke to me. It turns out that about an hour earlier they had brought in a family member who, by description of his recent behaviors, was experiencing a psychotic break. They did not understand what was happening. They wanted to see him.

After I cleared the way for them, they decided that some would sit with him and some would go home. All deferred to the old man. The old man declined to go in, but chose instead to send in the middle-aged and younger while he and his wife remained in the waiting room. I thanked them for being here and watched as some of them entered the ED proper and some of them left.

When their family had gone, the old couple stood up and walked slowly to sit facing each other along two great rows of chairs. Their behavior was so purposeful, but I did not understand. I waited for a bit, then I sat several chairs over and facing the woman. I did not look at the old couple. They did not look at me. They did not move. I did not move. Many minutes passed. Suddenly the old woman spoke. She told her husband a simple thing about their loved one. He agreed. She spoke again. He agreed. And then he said something. Then she said something more. Very carefully and very slowly each told the other about the young man.

Then they stopped talking.

I waited. They did not look at me. I did not look at them. They did not move. I did not move.

After several minutes I stood up. I bowed slightly and I quietly said, "Thank you."

The information they gave me proved to be useful in the care of their loved one.

Never have I felt more privileged or as if I were occupying a holy place than in those minutes listening to that old couple.

Thank you for reading my story.

Joy