#11Celebrating Life
It’s been quite a season of “life celebrations” for our family. The opportunity to be grateful and reflect has been profound. After the beautiful speeches and tearful goodbyes, I am going back to the work that I know would honor the memories of the three from this weekend.
On Saturday we attended the service for a couple who were married for seventy years. These people had passed away within 10 days of each other after contracting Covid-19 in January of 2021. The lady had taught elementary school with my mother-in-law for thirty-two years. She loved children and changed the lives of countless students. She was unfailingly kind and welcoming to me when I married into her good friend’s family. Advanced dementia had absolutely robbed her quick mind but not her cheerful disposition. Her devoted husband cared for her till the end. The service was at the beautiful church where they worshipped for over 50 years.
On Sunday, the family and friends of Jane gathered to remember her remarkable life. Jane should rightfully be enshrined as one of the pioneers of Emergency Nursing when and where it was born in Alexandria, VA. Her ready smile and folksy humor belied uncompromising dedication to her patients, her family, and her friends. More than one new attending, cheeky tech or frustrated nurse were ushered out to the parking lot over the years to receive an attitude readjustment. She would never embarrass people in front of the patients or their colleagues. She was charge nurse, mentor, friend and inspiration to the staff at INOVA Alexandria Hospital for 48 years. She had metastatic cancer but Covid-19 sealed the deal.
At holiday time, Jane would dispense beautiful strawberry breads and cute little angel ornaments that she made herself.
The crowd at the VFW hall in Springfield, VA had a lot of life to celebrate. A lot of folks traveled in from far and wide to honor Jane and reminisce. We shed a few tears and shared many laughs. The group of retired nurses and physicians get together monthly and annually for the holidays in December. I am hosting the gathering at my home and the absence of our dear friend will be felt most acutely. She is one of those very few people who I feel (spiritually) patting me on the back and pushing me gently forward. Just you wait, lady, to see what I’ve got coming!
