I promised to tell the story of my friend Bonnie's gesture of incredible kindness and it seems appropriate today.
It was a day in early October 1996 and my dad had been enduring treatment for a brain tumor from his metastasized melanoma. I rushed out of school during my lunch period to meet my folks at the doctor's office. As I walked into the exam room, the doctor said, "there's nothing more we can do for you." My father dissolved in tears and I rushed to hold him while my mother sat numbly staring straight ahead. I tried to focus on what the doctor was saying. '"Two weeks, maybe four at most." I gasped and held him tighter. It was hard to breathe and blood was pounding in my ears. Somehow, I had to focus. We agreed that he'd be admitted and I took my parents to the hospital just down the street.
I got him admitted and followed them upstairs. When the nurse took Dad and Mom to the room to get him settled, I escaped to the waiting room and collapsed in a chair sobbing. My father, my beloved father. No, no, no. It can't be! Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder. When I looked up, there was Bonnie.
I don't remember what she said, but she sat with me and we visited quietly. She was there visiting her father and happened to see me weeping. She brought juice and tissues and listened. Fifteen minutes of kindness that soothed my soul. Gradually, I calmed and realized what I had to do. I thanked her and walked back into that hospital room, ready to face our last ten days together.
She didn't have to come to me. She could have walked by, but she took the time to help a friend. That's how I'll always remember Bonnie. Kind, gentle, soft-spoken and compassionate.
Looking south over the campus center
Canadaway Creek from Risley St. Bridge
Eighty-three DVDs are now burned! Steve's been going up and down those stairs all day. We're getting close to the end!
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