What Do You REALLY See When You Notice That Little Old Lady In The Corner?

The essay below is geared more toward nurses, but I really think it is relevant to us all.  As we go about our hectic lives, how many of us have totally ignored, or gotten frustrated at, an elderly person?  Think about this the next time you encounter a senior citizen, regardless of where you meet them or your line of work.

"What Do You See, Nurse?"

What do you see, nurse, what do you see?

What are you thinking when when you look at me?

A crabbled old woman, not very wise.

Uncertain of habit, with farway eyes.

Who dribbles her food and makes no reply

When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!".

Who seems not to notice the things that you do

And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.

Who unresisting or not, let's you do as you will

With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.

Is that what you're thinking, is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am as I sit there so still.

As I move at your bidding, as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of ten with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters who love one another.

A young girl at sixteen with wings on her feet

Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.

A bride soon at twenty---my heart gives a leap

Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.

At twenty-five, now, I have young of my own

Who need me to build a secure happy home.

A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast

Bound to each other with ties that should last.

At forty my young will now soon be gone,

But my man stays beside me to see I don't mourn.

At fifty once more babies play round my knee.

Again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead.

I look at the future.  I shudder with dread.

For my young are all busy rearing young of their own.

And I think of the years and the love I have known.

I'm an old woman now, and nature is cruel.

'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles; grace and vigor depart.

There is now just a stone where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells.

And now and again, my  battered heart swells.

I remember the joys.  I remember the pain.

And I'm loving and living life all over again.

I think of the years all too few---gone so fast.

And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, nurse, open and see.

Not a crabbled old woman---look closer---SEE ME!!

Author Unknown

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.