Tears of Joy | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Tears of Joy | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ann McDaniels
11/23/08
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Tears of Joy

Cold tears ran down my cheeks as I could hardly move, really did not want to, under the white sheet and three hospital blankets. The medicinal hospital smells intermingled with the sweet aroma emanating from the dozens of different floral arrangements in my room was becoming nauseating. I was really sick of being sick, sick of being in the hospital, sick of the attention, sick of not enough attention, just sick and tired, tired and sick!!!

Initially, the doctor told us that my operational procedures were successful and in four weeks, the bandages would be removed. That was back when I could feel the warmth of the sunlight as it crept into my room, now I’m listening to the wind whistling and the freezing rain hitting against the hospital window. Sure, I no longer have bandages over my eyes, but it is forever midnight, I no longer see the sunrise. At first my friends, my boyfriend and relatives came to visit me, but with my extended stay and transfer to the rehabilitation floor my parents were my only faithful daily visitors.

“Hi, honey. It’s just me. Your dad is parking the car. We brought you a poinsettia to help give your room that Christmas feel.”

“Mom, you have to stop bringing me all these flowers. You’re loosing business because of me. I feel bad enough that I’m not there to help you in the shop and now you have to close up shop to come visit me and dad has to take time off from work, too.”

“Now, hush up. You know there is nowhere else your dad and I would rather be. We love you, honey. You know, I wonder. . . . Honey, your dad is here, I need to go talk to the nurse. I’ll be right back.”

“This is going to be a cold Christmas. They say it may even snow,” dad said as he held my hand.

Moments later Nurse Smith came in. “Are you ready to go? Today, we have a surprise for you. We are working on something very special.”

Reluctantly, I said “Yes” knowing that she really did not expect an answer, because I was going ready or not.

“Mr. Lee, are you and your wife going to be joining us today?”

“No, we have other plans.”

Shocked as my parents always joined me for my rehabilitation sessions, but I guess they too were beginning to get tired of the hospital scene, besides it was Christmas Eve and I am sure they had plenty of other things to keep them busy.

As Nurse Smith wheeled me down the hallway, into the elevators and then through the rehab corridor, the smells and noises changed from a medicine smell to a Ben-Gay type smell, from sounds of respirators to sounds of individuals needing rest from heavy respirations, from sounds of heart monitors beeping to sounds of music to help you keep your heart beating to the rhythm. Instead of the smell of a pool of blood that had been cleaned by Clorox, there was a pool filled with cool water and the smell of chlorine.

Finally, Dr. Mathison called me back to his office and although there was a different smell that I was not used to, I ignored it when I heard two familiar voices, “Hi, Honey.”

“Mom! Dad! What are the both of you doing here? I thought. . . ”

Solemnly, dad started, “We talked to Dr. Mathison and he said you have succeeded in all you rehab goals. As the excitement began to fill his voice, he continued, “They are discharging you from the hospital to spend Christmas at home.”

Excitedly mom shouted, “Honey, we have one more surprise!” She placed a ribbon in my hand and said, “Pull on it.”

As I pulled, I felt a wet noise approach which made be draw back. Dad said, “It’s all right, honey. It’s a German Shepherd seeing eye dog. His name is Buster and he is all yours.” I hugged Buster tightly as warm tears began streaming down my cheeks.

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