Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of “A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush” (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (01/10/08)
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TITLE: Vera | Previous Challenge Entry
By Judy Bowers
01/14/08 -
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Perhaps it was the kindness evident in her eyes or maybe the gentleness of her voice that revealed her goodness, her genuine love for every person she encountered. Vera’s elderly husband was a retired Russian Orthodox priest who visited his beloved wife every Sunday afternoon which was when one of their two sons was able to make the three hour drive to the nursing home.
Eventually the day arrived when Vera became unresponsive to the nurse’s comments. Her husband was notified of her deteriorating condition and, in his broken English, he told the nurse that their second son would be flying in to be with his Mother. They all would get to the nursing home as soon as possible.
Near 8:30 that evening, the LPN (licensed practical nurse) on duty noticed a man walking down the hall. ‘This would be Vera’s son,’ she thought as she made her way toward him. “Please follow me,” she said as she led the way to Vera’s bedside. “As you can see, she is not responsive this evening.”
He pulled the chair over to the bedside and took Vera’s hand. In response, Vera gave his hand a very light squeeze, so holding her frail hand in his strong one, he leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes.
“Well, I’ll just leave you two then,” whispered the nurse as she left the room to continue her room checks and to update some resident charts.
Shortly before midnight, the nurse returned to Vera’s room to find them both asleep. Upon checking for Vera’s pulse, she realized that Vera had died peacefully while holding her son’s hand.
Lightly touching the son’s shoulder to awaken him, she gently said, “Sir, I am so sorry, your Mother has died very peacefully tonight while you held her hand.”
“Oh, but nurse, this lady is not my Mother,” replied the man. “I came in tonight to visit Tom Simms just down the hall. But when you said to follow you into this room - well, something led me to take this lady’s fragile hand. Then she squeezed my hand as if she knew me, so I thought perhaps tonight she needed a visit more than my friend Tom.
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A little more description of Vera and the hospital would have helped.
I loved the ending.
Good writing.