Ms. Hapton | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Ms. Hapton | Previous Challenge Entry
By Catharine Smith
07/18/08
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I sit in the waiting room awaiting the arrival of Ms. Hampton; a friendly, yet stern ICU nurse who guards the entrance to my mothers room like an eagle protecting her nest from vultures. She informed all her patients’ family, you dare not disturb her until you are called. We are all delegated to the Waiting Room. We, an assortment of worn out family members who pray, cry and drink endless cups of coffee awaiting any news from their frail loved ones. From the stillness comes a clanging annoying ring from the wall above the “Family Only Sign:”. We all turn; anxious and alarmed by the sudden interruption.

A middle aged woman with a stringy once coiffed hair self appoints herself the receptionist for this agonizing group. “YES, you want Miss Simpson; no I am not Miss Simpson. Yes I do recall the name being called during the night.” Leaving the phone ajar she turns and announces in a rather loud distracting way “Is any one here for Miss Simpson, there is a call for Miss Simpson’s family, anyone here” From the adjoining waiting room runs a Older lady, holding a baby in her arms. I am Mrs. Simpson; “thank you, she reply’s as grabbing the phone like it was a lifeline and she was drowning at sea. “ Yes Charles” she exclaims “its me, I have been here all night with the kids, She is not doing good Charles. Yes . Please do come and take the children home, they need sleep and food. No, I will be fine; I will let you know if I hear anything more. I am on the 3rd floor ICU Waiting room. Thank you Brother, I do not know what I would do without you. Bye” With that the women turns and we all give each other an understanding nod that only families undergoing a devastating loss of a family or family members know. Most of the families in this room know that her Son in law had passed during the night and her daughter was just barely surviving.

It is strange how this collection of worn out humans have become so intimate in their knowledge of each individual’s personnel life. This transaction takes place in hours of arriving at any clinic or hospitals around the world. A universal blanket surrounds the faithful and the lost as well. Walk into any waiting room at 3am , watch what happens to those who gather to wait for the outcome. Every phone call, intercom announcement or person walking down the hall, becomes a glimmer of hope or fear of disaster.

Our receptionist on call was prompt on duty when at last I received my Call. “ Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Smith Ms. Hampton says to meet her at the nurses station your Mother is asking for you.” Ms. Hampton waited around the corner and gently ushered me through the curtain. I approached my Mother as she recognized my haggard body entering her cubical, she smiled; grabbing my hand to protect as only a mother would do. I knew this test was going to be an easy one, she would be ok. As I left the hospital the next day I stopped by the gift shop and purchased a floral arrangement which surrounded a mother Eagle and her nest. Leaving instructions and a card it said “Thank you Ms. Hampton, you are the best”.

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