An unexpected patient experience

Hi Pastor John. 

I had a visit with an 80-year old female patient today at work who I had never met before, who was previously followed by another doctor. She had the sweetest feeling about her when I first walked in the room. She was very pleasant and had a likable personality. She reminded me of a less spunky Lou, but just as personal and sweet. She told me she had been doing well recently, but her heart issues first started about 5 years ago when her grandchild died, then her husband died, then her son died, all in a 4 year span.

She talked about how she now lives a quiet, simple life, and has had many good years with her family. She is just thankful for what she has experienced, and tries not to complain but there have been some pretty tough times, and getting older has come with challenges. She said that God has taken care of her thus far and He won’t give up on her now.

As I looked in her eyes, it was a deep feeling that I’ve never experienced before. It was like I was looking into the eyes of my older self. She told me she had 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl, just like I will have. I have never met her before but immediately fell in love with her, and I felt the love come back to me. We were both holding back tears as she recounted her life.

At the end of our visit, there was a brief moment as we stood there, and we both hugged each other and she said she loved me, and I said it back.

I’m not quite sure what I’m feeling, but the closest I can think of is how life is so short, and I truly felt like I was looking in the eyes of my future self. When I left the room, I went into the bathroom and just cried, not quite understanding my deep feelings.  

Name withheld

Comments welcome:

https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1896929747076362433