Heart Touchers

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{Straight From the Heart} *One More Kiss From Rose* 1/30/01

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Are you looking for something to give your honey on Valentine's Day?
I've got the perfect gift idea! Check out the end of today's touching
story from Laura Lagana to find out how you can get an autographed
copy of Chicken Soup for the Couple's Soul!
Be sure to write to Laura if her story touches you in some way!
Michael
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One More Kiss from Rose

By Laura Hayes Lagana, RN

Mr. Kenney returned to our unit of the hospital
frequently. He was a retired executive, a widower, and
cancer had taken took its toll over the last three years. The
cancer had metastasized from his colon to all of his vital
organs. This would probably be his last admission, and I
believe he knew it.

Some patients are known to be problems because of
behavior changes that often accompany major diseases.
When people are suffering, they aren't aware of what they
say or do to people, and frequently they lash out at the first
person that enters their room.

All things considered, every nurse is well aware of
these circumstances. The more experienced nurses have
acquired knowledge in how to handle such cases. Of course,
this is where I come in -- the new kid on the block, in a
manner of speaking.

For days the other nurses would talk about Mr. Kenney
at report, and there were special staff meetings to decide how
to handle his outrageous behavior. Everyone tried to spend as
little time as possible while in his room. Sometimes he threw
things at the nurses and other staff members, if they so much
as looked at him the wrong way.

One evening, while on a particularly busy shift, we had
more than our share of emergency admissions on the already
overcrowded medical-surgical unit. Mr. Kenney picked this
same evening to refuse his medications and decided to
throw every large object that was well within his reach,
while cursing at the top of his lungs. I could hardly believe
that a terminally ill man of eighty-one could reach that
volume and cause so much damage.

While I cautiously entered his room, I started talking.
What can I do for you, Mr. Kenney? What seems to be the
problem? There is such a ruckus in here that even the
visitors are terrified. I don't know what to think of it. The
other patients are trying to get to sleep.

An annoyed Mr. Kenney put down his next projectile
(that seemed to be aimed at me!) and asked me to sit in the
chair next to his bed for a minute. Knowing I didnt really
have the time, I still said, Okay.

As I sat on the edge of the chair, Mr. Kenney
proceeded to share some of his life with me. He started by
saying, No one understands how hard it is. How long it has
been since I felt well. It has been so long since ... since ...
anyone has even taken the time to really look at me, to
listen to me... and to care.

A long silence followed, and I wondered if this
wouldn't be the best time to politely leave, but I didnt have
the heart. Something told me to stay with this man.

After what seemed like an hour, he finally said, It has
been so long since I have had my Rose with me. My lovely,
sweet Rose. We would always kiss goodnight, and that
made everything better. No matter what happened that day,
Roses kisses always made everything better. Oh, God, how
I would give anything for one more kiss from Rose. Then
Mr. Kenney started crying.

He held onto my hand and said, I know you must
think Im crazy, but I know my life is almost over. I look
forward to being with my Rose again. My life is hell this
way! I really appreciate your taking the time to listen -- to really
listen to me. I know you are terribly busy. I know you
care.

I don't mind at all. While I prepare to give you your
medication, is there anything else that I can do for you?

Please -- call me Joseph, he said as he rolled over
very cooperatively. I gave him his injections, and he thought
for a few moments before answering my question. As I was
almost finished, he finally said, There is one last favor you
could do for me.

What is it, Joseph? I asked.

Then he leaned over the side of the bed, and said in a
hushed voice, Could you just give me a goodnight kiss?
Roses kisses always made everything better. Could you just
give me a kiss goodnight? Please? Oh, God, how I would
give anything for one more kiss from Rose.

So I did -- I walked over and placed a huge kiss on his
cheek. It felt right to kiss a dying man in the place of his
Rose!

During report the next day, the nurses said Mr. Kenney
had slipped peacefully away during the night. It is wonderful
to know how strong true love can be -- to be inseparable
even after death. I was so honored that Mr. Kenney asked
me to give him one more kiss from Rose.

Send Laura an email and let her know what you thought of her story!
*******
Laura Hayes Lagana is a registered nurse, professional speaker, author of
her own upcoming inspirational book about caregivers, patients and nurses,
and one of the co-authors of Chicken Soup for the Volunteers Soul.
She may be reached at Success Solutions, P.O. Box 7816,
Wilmington, DE 19803-7816;
Website: http://www.LauraLagana.com.
~~
To receive a copy of "Chicken Soup for the Couple's Soul"
autographed by contributing author, Laura Lagana,
please send a check for $20.00
(includes shipping by priority-mail)
payable to "Laura Lagana," along with the name(s) to autograph
it to, shipping address, and mail to:
"Couple's Soul" - Autographed Copy
PO Box 7816 Wilmington, DE 19803
(Please e-mail Success@TomLagana.com if you're planning to
order books, so we have enough on hand. Thanks.)
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REQUESTS:

Can anyone help with with her request below? I really didn't have any sites in mind
to send her to. Thanks!
Michael

From: EMtierney@aol.com (Beth)

Dear Michael:

My fiance and I lost his son in October of 1999, and while it's been extremely difficult coping with our loss, it's especially hard on my fiance (Rick). He saw a psychiatrist for the first few months after Dan's death, but didn't find it too helpful. Although we both have a strong faith in God, and actively attend church (Catholic), it seems that ever since the one-year anniversary of Dan's death (this past October 16th, 2000) , my fiance has been finding it harder and harder to get through his "down" days....

Dan was only 18 when he died, and he and Rick were best buddies. He lived with us since he was 14, and Rick and his ex-wife (and myself) are good friends at this point and keep in touch weekly.

While I have accessed a lot of information via the grief websites that are available, I was wondering if you had any personal recommendations for us.

Any ideas would be extremely helpful. Thanks!!

Beth Tierney
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Thought For The Day:

"It is not guided missles, but guided morals that is our great need today."
George W. Ford

Verse for the Day:

"The man of integrity walks securely." -- Proverbs 10:9

Kid's Thought For The Day:

"A five-year-old daughter was explaining how the brain works, by
making other parts of your body move. The mother asked her how the
messages travel down the spinal cord, and she explained that
there are nerds in there that carry the messages."

Parent's Thought For The Day:

"If, in instructing a child, you are vexed with it for want of adroitness,
try, if you have never tried before, to write with your left hand, and then
remember that a child is all left hand." --J. F. Boyse

Coach's Thought For The Day:

"Don't mistake activity for achievement..." --John Wooden

Deep Thought For The Day:

"No matter how good the first half of the sandwich is, all anyone
remembers is the roach in the middle."

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_
/_/\/\    MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ /    THUNDER27@aol.com
/_/ \    "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \   Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
   \_\/   of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

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