Frankie visited Meadow View Manor Nursing Home today. I “tagged along” and was once again her voice to share her powerful message of compassion and hope.
At the end of my presentations I took Frankie around to each resident so they could pet her if they wished. One resident has MS and is in the much progressed stages of it. But, her mind is strong and vital. She thanked me over and over for bringing Frankie today. She could not stop smiling. She said, “You know I have MS, but I don’t feel sorry for myself.” She could relate to what I had to say about not feeling sorry for Frankie, but finding the blessing in her situation. She said, “It does not do me any good to feel sorry for myself. It won’t change anything.” I told her how much I admired her amazing attitude. Another resident never sits still, the nurse told me, but she sat still for the entire ½ hour as I talked about Frankie.
The nurse then asked if I could bring Frankie over to a resident who had been sleeping during the presentation, but thought she might light up seeing Frankie now that she was awake. “It is rare the woman reacts to anything,” the nurse said. But, the minute she focused in on Frankie I could see the light begin to shine in her eyes… then a big smile spread across her face. I had to fight back the tears. There really are no words for moments like that… they can only be felt with the heart. She made a connection with Frankie and no words were spoken, but you knew it made a difference in her day. continually try to find adequate words to express the things I see with Frankie when we meet special people like we did today… but the words don’t come.
All I know is I leave with a feeling in my heart that was not there a year ago. All I know is every time I do a presentation I usually choke up at some point telling my story. All I know is that is because I am following my heart. All I know is I want to continue following my heart… because I do know it has had a profoundly positive effect on my life.