SFPNN Special Edition –
Join us on-line at: http://www.sfpnn.com/
________________________________________________________________
— Thanks to author and motivational speaker, Ellie Braun-Haley, for today's
Special Edition
THE SMILE
By Ellie Braun-Haley
The transition from living in your own home and
directing every aspect of your life to being confined to a wheelchair and being
dependent on others for everything, is a traumatic change.
Mother, at the age of 91, fell and her entire world
changed.
She was in hospital for months and then moved to a
Nursing facility. We knew she would never go home again and then came the day
when she too knew it.
She had just been adjusting to yet another Nursing
Home, and was speaking with her son about going with him when he left. He told
her she could not come. “I’ll never go home again will I.” It was not a question.
When I visited with Mother I knew she felt useless and
unhappy yet she was trying to put up a brave front. I asked if I could read a
short story to her and she laid her head back on the
pillow and waited for the story.
The first story stimulated her to talk about God and
miracles and while she was speaking I was suddenly inspired to tell Mother a different
story.
I told her the story of the PATIENT.
The patient was bedridden and only able to chat a bit
and smile.
In the PATIENT'S room they fed on the warmth of the
smile they received. Each person was uplifted by the good cheer, gentle words,
and by the abundant and concerned thoughtfulness of this one senior PATIENT.
There were some in the hospital who yelled and whined.
There were some who cried and others who literally abused the staff with their
harsh words. But not THE PATIENT.
No, when staff entered the room of THE PATIENT it was
as if they knew this was their sanctuary! All of the care staff understood, in
this room, with this one PATIENT, they would ALWAYS receive the medicine of
human kindness. In that one room, they could always count on hearing kind words,
waiting to be dished out like candy to a child.
Cleaning staff, nurses, even doctors fed on the
endless supply of goodness dished out by THE PATIENT.
As I finished telling the story, commenting on how
needed this PATIENT was, Mother exclaimed, "Goodness, the staff here all
say they like coming into my room because I am so cheerful. I never thought
about the impact of it before."
I hope Mother will always remember she makes a
significant difference in the lives of others merely by being gentle, kind and
caring. How wonderful to know ripples of goodness may make the difference
between encouraging a nurse to be uplifting and positive rather than insensitive
and irritable. What a blessing a smile and kind word can have in the life of
another!
Mother's children have always known she is a blessing
to all of those around her with her loving disposition. I hope Mother now knows
it too! Her presence is a gift to many.
— © Ellie Braun-Haley
Ellie is the author of numerous books. Her short stories have also
appeared in 22 On-Line publications and in countless books which include
Chicken Soup for the Soul, HeartWarmers of Spirit,
and Conscious Women. Ellie’s newest
stories for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Celebrating People Who Make a Difference
will include The Headlines, You’ll Never Read, and Little Things Do Make a
Difference – to be released in February 2008.
* * *
Now you can find all of your favorite SFPNN Special Editions in one place at: http://www.sfpnn.com/pnn_special_edition.htm
Also look for our Soul Magic series! http://www.sfpnn.com/soul_magic.htm
For current and back issues of Sir Froggie's Positive News Network, go to: http://www.sfpnn.com/pnn_current_issues.htm
________________________________________________________________
sfpnn subscription
information
We welcome you to share your sfpnns
with others but please note… SFPNN is NOT
"spam" and may only be received through a confirmed free subscription
request from yourself or from someone who wished to give you a subscription as
a gift.
To SUBSCRIBE to Sir Froggie's Positive
News Network, click on the following link and enter the appropriate information:
http://www.sfpnn.com/subscribe_to_pnn1.htm
To change your existing subscription to a different e-mail address, or to UNSUBSCRIBE, use the link at the
bottom of your individual issue.
________________________________________________________________
This and
every issue of SFPNN is dedicated to MISTY, a tiny angel who taught us to love
unconditionally and bask in the glory and joy of each moment.
For more information about Misty, please visit Misty’s
Miracle at: http://www.sfpnn.com/SoulMagic/Soul2001/sm040601.htm and our Reflections of a Zen Master / Fuzzy
Tales page at: http://www.sfpnn.com/misty.htm
.
________________________________________________________________
"ONLY LOVE PREVAILS" — © Beverley Waller