Listening is Often Enough
“You have to come now- Summer isn’t breathing!”
It was Thursday night at Cherith Brook, and I was seeing patients for Care Beyond the Boulevard. Nurse Jody and I were just starting to talk to a patient who had been punched in the face that morning- maybe a broken nose, definitely a fat lip - when Cathy burst in, asking us to come help her friend.
We grabbed a narcan and headed out the door. I assumed Summer was right outside but Cathy had taken off down the street. It had started to rain as we followed her, jogging across Benton, past the convenience store and body shops, up another street and then down an alley. Summer was curled up between two trees, nearly undetectable, her belongings on a wagon in front of her, acting as a shield.
She was very still but then moaned a little as we tried to awaken her. Over the next few minutes she began moaning more, then complained of abdominal pain, then pain in her hip. She hadn’t been out of that spot the whole day. Maybe she was hit by a woman with a board. Her story kept changing as she woke up, becoming more agitated. Then she wanted to stand. Then she wanted to hop on one foot the three blocks back to Cherith Brook.
I left Jody with her as I ran back in pouring rain to see patients. The guy that had been punched. Another that had stepped on a nail. Another that needed sutures removed. Others that wanted their blood pressures checked or to just sit and talk about themselves for a few minutes.
Jody and I both agreed it was a weird day and as we were headed to our cars we saw Summer and Cathy walking down the middle of 12th street, deep in conversation, legs seeming to function normally. A mystery.
It’s a gift to be able to meet people as they are. Without question or judgement. We barely know ourselves. And certainly will never completely understand another. Whether our partners or our children. Friends or parents. Coworkers or patients. We get a glimpse and then use our experience and training to try to understand enough to help, listen, relate. I’m blessed to be given the chance to interact intimately with people as my vocation.
The gift is the time spent. The attention. The focus. The unconditional love. I see you and hear you and I think you are funny and interesting and beautiful.
The times I have felt that non-judgmental, warm, focused attention are treasures. Those moments sustain and nourish me and make life worth living.
Holy One, only you truly know us. Help us to model your calm, curious, unconditional love. And to always respond when we are called. Amen
Brandon is a member of Peace Church. He thinks most people are funny and interesting.