PEAS

Have you ever witnessed something with someone and you have two completely different perspectives? That happened this week with my twin sister while visiting our dad. My dad's dinner was served and he didn't seem too excited to eat, and that's the stage he's currently in, but we provide space for my dad to drive his own bus, on his journey, and we are there when he wants us to be. His dinner looked delicious, but I noticed the vegetables on the plate were peas. First, let me just say I absolutely love peas, cooked, raw, butter and a little garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper I love them. I turned to my twin and said, "why did they give dad peas", she said, "why not". I expressed that he is older, not stable, and the peas will actually be on the floor and not in his mouth, while she expressed that peas are soft and digestible. I love my talks with her because we give each other the grace to hear the other person's perspective. No one was wrong in the scenario, it was just our perspective, and the desire to ensure our father receives proper nutrition. As Patient Experience professionals we have tons of ideas, and creativity, but if someone sees something different, it's OK, we may learn something we never knew. More than that, taking time to hear someone else's perspective allows the relationship to grow and mutual respect to endure. So, peas are peas, and the funny thing, my dad didn't eat them anyway :).