Somebody's Hero

Glimmers

May 31, 2013

 

I continue to reflect on the book “Flags of Our Fathers” by James Bradley. Reading the account of the Marine charge up Mt. Suribachi left me feeling amazed at what they accomplished and what they endured. More Medals of Honor and Navy Crosses were awarded at Iwo Jima than in any other battle in United States history. No other battle produced such a combination of courage and carnage.

 

Surviving heroes were asked why they did what they did. None said they did it for a medal. “I did it for my buddies,” was the common reply. Other-centeredness is at the heart of a hero.

 

I do not at all mean to equate anything to what those Marines did in February 1945 on Iwo Jima, but I have noticed that the ability to look beyond self to the needs of others is the common factor that produces great deeds in other theatres too.

 

It was not what she expected when she started her day. As she sat in the patient’s room, her job was to assure his safety. He slept most of the time, but in his confused state, he could not be trusted to be alone. Her job as a sitter was to keep an eye on him and to call for assistance if needed.

 

The man in the other bed was slowly winding down. Weary from her vigil, his family member had left in the early hours of the morning to get some rest. Now his body was losing its fight with disease and had reached the tipping point between life and death. His breathing had become erratic and shallow. And he was alone.

 

The sitter slid her chair to the side of his bed and clasped his hand in hers. “I couldn’t stand the thought of him dying alone,” she said. She admitted that it “freaked her out” a little, but she held on to his hand as his breathing stopped and his heart ceased beating. It was not in her job description and certainly not in her comfort zone, but because her compassionate heart demanded it, she made certain he knew he was not alone in his final minutes.

 

How did she do it? How did she overcome her fear and being “freaked out a little?” She chose to focus on him instead of herself. Other-centeredness. That is how heroes are born.

 

Blessings to you all,

 

Jerald

 

The thoughts and opinions here are solely my own and do not necessarily represent those of Parrish Medical Center.