The hand you hold

I visited my dad yesterday and of course I stopped by to see Ms. Mary. She has to be in her 90's, and I met her walking to my dad's room, she said hello, and reached out her hand. So yesterday was no different, Ms. Mary was so excited to see me and to thank me for the flowers I placed in her room, so she can see color and beauty each day. You would be surprised that on beautiful days, residents don't always go outside to see the world and all it's beauty. Of course, I have this plan in my mind to connect with every Patient Experience professional in the world, to start a play date, connecting with nursing homes, so when Spring is here, we can take residents outside, but I have to start small, with Ms. Mary. Ms. Mary said something to me, and the words stopped me in my tracks. We were discussing her flowers, she commented on the flower I was wearing. I typically wear flowers and brooches because I grew up seeing my grandmother, great grandmother and aunt wearing them, it also creates conversations with senior patients. She said, "I love you baby", as she held out her hand, and I stood there basking in all the love she wanted to give me. I said, I love you too Ms. Mary and I will see you later this week. My sister and I discussed that moment, and I shared that she desires a human connection with someone who will return love. Patients in beds, sitting in lobbies in our hospitals, checking in for procedures they never imagined they would have, need love and a human connection. You cannot do this work, if you don't love people, it's that simple. How can you love someone better today and connect?