Olaf here, I’m April’s Yorkie. And, I lost a friend this week.
I too visit the Assisted Living place with our human mummy, April. My little brother, okay, my younger brother Henry got a lot of attention last summer when he helped “flip the switch” and give one of the non-verbal dementia patients a moment of clarity.1 But, I visit there as much as Henry.
Since I’m so much smaller than my younger brother, I help with my friends who are struggling when their bodies start to falter. My human mummy lets me sit with them, and I comfort my friends simply by being there.
Last week, one of my favorites was struggling. I sat with him for several hours. I comforted him if he moaned or cried out in pain. He pet me often. Here is a picture of me with him:
My human, wants to protect my friend and his privacy, so you only get to see me at his side. His hand is holding me. He died two days later.
He was a good friend.
There are no ordinary people
Sometimes humans seem to forget that there are no ordinary people. I never forget. Even if the person is old and frail. Even if they can’t remember my name. I know that everyone is unique and special. My human mummy, April, read a quote by C.S. Lewis to remind people struggling that their lives are important:
“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat....it is with the awe and the circumspection proper….that we should conduct all of our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people.” 2
Please Don’t Forget
Please don’t forget that you are extraordinary, valuable and sacred. Even if your physical body is failing. If you’ve survived Childhood Sexual Abuse, or other significant pain or trauma, please remember that you are not permanently flawed. You might be wounded and need to heal, but healing is possible. You are irreplaceable.
Nothing Gold Can Stay
Tonight, my human was walking with us and the sun was setting. We paused and gazed at the golden sky.
Our human mummy whispered “Nothing Gold Can Stay.”3
Notice the beauty for it is temporary. Never forget the sacredness of your own soul.
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A window of Joy
Henry here. Our human mummy, April, helps out at an assisted living facility. Usually, our mummy takes Olaf or I when she visits. The people at the facility love us! It’s one of our favorite places to go. Everyone always makes a big fuss about us.
https://www.cslewis.com/be-careful/
Nothing Gold Can Stay
By Robert Frost
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
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