Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: INDEFATIGABLE (02/11/16)
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TITLE: Nocturnal Angels | Previous Challenge Entry
By Donna Powers
02/17/16 -
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Is that someone’s phone?
Bright. So bright.
The lights above me slap their brightness into my eyes.
Dry. My tongue is dry and sticky. I have a faint, metallic taste in my mouth.
Where am I?
I open my eyes to a bright, clean room. I look out the window, and see unfamiliar tall buildings. I don’t know where I am or how I’ve gotten here. It must be nighttime, because I see stars and the moon.
Oh, and pain! Wow, my arms hurt and neck hurt! I don’t understand. Where am I?
“Hello?” My voice is quavering. Whatever made my mouth dry is also making it difficult for me to talk. But, surely someone must be here. “Hello?” I try again.
I hear her before I see her. My eyes are still not used to the lights, but I can see enough to know she has curly hair and a big smile. “Hello, Mrs. Pratt,” she says.
“Where am I? What’s happened?”
“You were in a car accident. You’ve broken your arms, your collarbone and your jaw. You’re at Memorial Hospital.”
“An accident? What happened?”
“Your car skidded on some ice, and you hit the guardrail on the highway. You were injured by the crash, but it would have been worse if the airbag hadn’t been activated.”
I realized I had a thousand other questions, but I started with, “What time is it? How long have I been here?”
She moved closer, and placed her hand on my shoulder. “You were brought here last evening. It’s about 3:30am.”
I was calming down. Her kind voice reminded me of my granddaughter, Jenny. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Robin. I’m your nurse.”
My nurse. I became aware of the pain again, and told about it. She pointed to a machine next to me, and gave me a little handle with a button on top. She told me to push the button when I had pain. She also gave me a call bell, for when I needed help. I pushed the pain button, and then….
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Beep, beep. That beep had been here before. Oh, yes: I was in the hospital. Accident… broken bones… dry mouth… pain.
I looked out the window and saw the same buildings. It still looked dark. I wondered if I’d slept the whole day away. I pushed the call bell.
Robin came in again. “What day is it?” I asked her.
“It’s still Tuesday morning, Mrs. Pratt. You slept about 3 hours.”
It was so comforting to talk to a friendly person, during this long night. I wondered how she managed to stay awake. “Do you always work at this time of night?” I asked her.
“All of us take turns working this shift,” she answered. “Our main night shift nurse had a baby last month, and we’re all filling in until she gets back.”
“That’s nice,” I said absently. Her friendliness and energy amazed me. This wasn’t her usual time to work, yet she looked alert and eager to help. “So, you’re up all night, with people like me?”
She smiled again. “This week I am.”
I couldn’t help but smile in return. “I’m glad you’re here, Robin. I still don’t remember what happened, and it’s good to know someone is here, in the middle of the night to take care of everyone.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Pratt. Is there anything you need?”
“No, not really. I just needed to be sure someone was here. I felt alone and scared when I woke up.”
She touched my shoulder again. “I’m here, now, Mrs. Pratt. And remember: God is here, too – whenever you need Someone. I believe He was looking after you, when your car hit that ice.”
I thought about that. I’d been so impressed by this young, smiling nurse who was able to stay awake during this long night, but had temporarily forgotten about God – Who was always watching over me.
“Thank you,” I told Robin. “Thank you for reminding me.” I pushed the pain button again, but before I drifted off, I thanked God for watching over me – and for sending me Robin - and for sending millions of others like her all over the world; to work the night shift and care for people like me.
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Psalm 121:7-8 “The Lord will keep you from all harm. He will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
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