‘That’s Harry,’ whispered Nurse Jenny. ‘We’ve tried everything but he’s lost the will to live.’
I continued on to Mum’s room, spending an hour telling her the latest news. She’d forget and I’d tell her again next visit but she loves visitors.
Harry looked up as I walked towards the exit and I recognised a familiar, haunted look.
Next visit, Jenny said Harry’s wife died the previous year and he had no family. ‘I try to involve him in activities but he says he’s useless now, no good for anyone and better off dead. He used to be a pilot. The only time I see any spark is when he sees a plane flying overhead. It doesn’t last but for a moment I think he’s up there in the sky again.’
Not long ago I felt the same. My husband deserted me after years of trying unsuccessfully for a baby, then announced a pregnancy with his girlfriend six months later.
I was lucky. Someone special helped me find light at the end of my dark, dark tunnel. Now I was back teaching at the local primary school, a job I loved. I had an idea.
I wheeled Mum into the day room, pointing out the colourful flowers outside Harry’s window. As she gazed at them, I started a conversation with Harry. It wasn’t easy but after the end of the visit, I knew my plan could work.
One of my students, Jake, began acting up after his father was killed by a drunk driver. I couldn’t blame him for his attitude but knew his bad behaviour needed stemming.
I spoke to his mother, a wonderful woman doing her best to raise three children alone. She gratefully agreed.
I took Jake on my next visit and suggested he wait in the day room while I fetched Mum.
‘Sit near Harry,’ I said. ‘Harry used to be a pilot.’ Jake hoped to be a pilot when he grew up and immediately the bored look on his face changed to interest. I headed towards Mum’s room, my fingers and toes crossed. Jenny promised to keep an eye on them.
Ten minutes later I returned to find the pair looking through the window at a jet high in the sky. Animated conversation followed. They barely notice my return.
Over the ensuing weeks, Jake visited Harry frequently. The change in both was amazing. Jake’s behaviour and grades improved and Harry joined in many of the nursing home activities.
Recently, Harry motioned for me to come closer while Jake helped Jenny fetch craft supplies.
‘I don’t know how to thank you,’ he said. ‘You’ve given me my life back.’
‘I know a way,’ I told him
Next month Harry will walk me down the aisle when I marry the wonderful man who helped lift me from my darkest days. With Jake in attendance, of course.