short essay says so much

Compassion 101
By Glenda Barrett, writer and poet from Hiawassee Georgia

We shivered in fear at North Georgia College as we performed our clinicals under the ever watchful eyes of the nursing instructors. Stressed to our limits, we carried bulging book bags crammed with mounting assignments. It was not unusual to have hundreds of pages to read each night, and it was overwhelming at times, especially for those of us who had families to care for at home.

I thought this would be the usual day at school but soon learned it would not be. During class lecture we had two teachers instead of one. The younger one sat in the back of the room and listened while the other one taught. About halfway through the class the one in the back stood up and said these words.

“I promised myself, I’d never let another nursing class go by without saying what I have to say. I’ve not been able to be here for several weeks because I had to have surgery due to cancer.
During my hospital stay, friends, family and co-workers did everything they could to make me feel better. They brought fresh cut flowers, magazines, books and heaping plates of home-cooked
food. But, I want you to listen closely because it won’t be long until you will be nurses.
As I lay in my bed in the wee hours of the morning alone and afraid, I would have given anything in this world if someone had walked into my room, asked me how I was feeling, and let me really tell them.”

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Glenda Barrett worked in the medical field until she developed her own health problems which she courageously manages every day of her busy life.