Gloria Ferris

It is with great pleasure that I’m typing up this entry at the request of my dear, dear mentor and friend (how lucky am I to be able to write that?), Gloria Ferris.

This request from Gloria is for us to say prayers on behalf of her dear friend, Patty, who would have been a five year cancer survivor by the end of this year.  Today, Patty is having her last test and consult and Gloria reports that her friend will begin and is beginning to make final decisions due to her health.

It is Gloria’s wish and desire that, while we are planning and conducting our end of the year vacations and get togethers, we also recall that Patty is making life-altering choices.  Although Gloria did not say this in so many words, I believe her intent is that, as matters that seem small and large may dog us in relation to all the holiday arrangements so many of us make, we please pray for Patty as she makes a certain set of arrangments as well.

Thank you.

Who knew that I would have to be reminded by my husband Tim of what is so important? I am fortunate to have the most wonderful care here (at MetroHealth in stroke rehab), but today this story is about my nurse Michelle.

Yesterday, she spent quite a bit of time with us telling us about Foster and Kleiser’s billboard business and about her uncle who was a poster artist. I believe I may have known him during the political campaigns of the ’70s, but that’s a blog for another day.

So yesterday, when we were having this conversation, I insisted on continuing to call her Marjorie even though I insisted I knew her name was Michelle. I said that Marjorie was a beautiful name and that it would be a good name for her.

To be truthful, I am not sure that I could get "Michelle" to stick in my head. But, what I didn’t realize was that I had forgotten what I had always prided myself on: Remembering peoples’ names. I am putting it in my head early, I have done this since 1972 when I first started student teaching: People’s names are who they are.

I grew up with Mom and Dad, who always were very centered on making sure that people were included and that new people were welcome. Thanks to Tim, I didn’t forget the biggest part of me and I won’t forget Michelle’s name, I know I won’t.

Through the days, I’ll be writing more little snippets, but they may be much different from what you remember, but remember, after all, this is my experience.

Wow, is it great to get back to writing!