A Surprise Story

What is said can trigger events beyond what one can imagine.

A nurse's use of metaphor, while describing an impending cancer test "It will feel like a bee sting."

She leaves the room to get the doctor.

I decide to flee.
"I had spent my whole life not getting stung by bees". 

As I plunged my hand into my purse, I found instead my juggling balls. I carried them with me everywhere, in the hopes I would eventually learn to juggle a bit.

The nurse re-entered to find me juggling badly. Conversation followed about the arts, street festivals, dreams of purpose.

Cut to the doctor, announcing mid-test that I would need to walk up and down the corridors of the cancer clinic for 15 minutes before continuing. They would return.

And the nurse noticed my stillness. What wasn't being said. I was in despair of the pain-yet-to-come.

Stillness. Then she quietly asked "Can you juggle while you walk?"

That invitation led me to juggle in the hallways.
Folks waiting for their treatments called out (stranger to stranger) - "Next time I'm gonna bring my catcher's mitt!"
Laughter unexpectedly, rolled freely.

From there, 2 years later, a humour program was developed because someone had noted the occasion a patient juggled in the halls and how laughter and joy rippled out.

It started with that nurse.
That nurse who received me gently in the present, with kindness, compassion, practicality and love.
She, skilfully played in the moment that unfolded before her, no strings attached...

With a twinkle in her eyes, she dared to toss out an invitation to me "Can you juggle while you walk?"

What was said triggered events far beyond what she imagined would happen when she went to work that day.
She made a difference.

I thank her, and all folks in my community for those moments.
You make a difference.
Have a wonder-filled week.

Linkedin November 19 2021 A Surprise story