Skip to main content

Without Words

I knocked on the door, knowing that it didn't really matter and that I would have to enter with leaving my words behind. She was one of my patients I have seen over the years. She and her family were all totally deaf. For me, it had always been a challenge to communicate in a meaningful way. In former days, I would find myself frustrated with lack of time to adequately meet her needs. It always seemed that the neediest person was jammed into the busiest part of your schedule. But today was different, I was going to do my best to let her know her results.
We greeted one another with smiles and handshakes. I sat down and began to write out the details of all her reports. We feverishly wrote back and forth, and in between my scrolling and notes, her daughter would sign back to her. It was an interview of silence, yet there was so much being said. I looked to her face, I looked to her gestures, was she truly understanding what I had been saying? And then it happened, I caught her nod of affirmation. I heard her "voice" and she heard mine. I sat and watched as she and her daughter decidedly signed about what now she should do. I heard her enthusiasm in wanting to make a healthier choice. I matched her response with as much written material to encourage her plans for her change. There were no more questions at the end; she left with encouragement and peace, and I left with satisfaction for using wordless time so well.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Easter Production

Driving down the freeway, the large billboard caught my eye.  "Join us for our Easter Production,"  it beckoned with splashy brown and orange colors.  It made me think, yes, that's what the resurrection of Jesus Christ has been reduced to. . . a man made production.  Even this very day we celebrate, the headlines are all about the celebrities that attract the biggest Easter crowd.  E.G. "Tim Tebow draws thousands to Texas Easter service."  Once again, I had to think . . . who is Easter really about?  What happened to "Jesus draws a crowd?" I have grown tired of celebrity worship.  Yet, it seems in America that is what most Christians are interested in. We flock to mega churches, we drink in videos and studies all geared to keep us simple minded and complacent.  No longer is theology a priority to be taught.  No, it's better to read through the Bible in a year by reading only 5 minutes a day.  Never mind, contemplating or discuss...
Post a Comment
Read more

Summer Breeze

  Gypsy Rose immediately prances to the back door as she hears her name.  We are ready for our morning walk, which has started later than usual, since I have some of these summer days off.  But it is still early enough to catch the morning breeze.  Walking south, I am refreshed by feeling the gentle wind all around me, it's a cool wrap in contrast to the summer sun.  But it all seems to disappear as I turn the corner and head west, my summer breeze is gone.  I am at a loss for it even as I continue north and east.  It's only as I begin the southern sidewalks back home that I am met with the blissful breeze.  I realize that though I wasn't feeling it for most of my steps, it was there all along, I just had to turn the right direction to get relief . . .  Sometimes, that is how my relationship with God seems.  Yes, I know He is ever near and is with me, but I don't feel that fact.  Sometimes my prayers seem to be in a vacuum, and I'm ...
Post a Comment
Read more

I am He

It's another one of those finicky March mornings.  Yesterday was picture perfect with early morning warm sunshine, crisp clear air, and rocky mountain peaks all framed by a royal blue sky.  On the other hand, today is a gray cloudy morning with the brilliance of Spring abruptly dimmed.  It's even a bit too cool and breezy for my morning bike ride, so I'll enjoy this "clock change" Sunday morning here on my favorite couch.  Opening the patio door, invites the sweetest aroma inside.  You are instantly drawn to find the source of what you smell.  Looking to my left, I see the beautiful vine that has climbed up one of Juniper trees, and has another trail of itself winding through a second tree.  It is like looking at a cascading fountain of brilliant blossoms.  I have found that the vine is known as a climbing jasmine.  I have no idea how it has ended up in our yard.  I can't exactly find its original site.  I use to think it was ju...
Post a Comment
Read more