“If you ever need anything, just let me know.”
That short sentence, spoken perhaps out of habit - if I’m being totally honest - began a years-long friendship with one of my patients. She was 88 and I was in my early forties.
As a dental hygienist, I develop myriad relationships with my patients. With “Mrs. M”, that relationship was deep. A week or so after I uttered that short sentence…well, she called.
“I need your help,” she said. Worried, I asked her what she needed?
“I need my toenails clipped,” she replied. She needed something…and though it wasn’t what I had in mind with my initial offer… I obliged. I loaded up and drove over to her house.
That trip to Mrs. M’s house became the first of many, as we developed a deep and abiding friendship. I loved that old woman. She, in turn, loved me, and I knew in my heart it had nothing to do with the care I provided.
She loved many things about her life, but she held a special place in her heart for Tulips. They were her favorite flower, and they brought her great joy.
It was with a heavy heart that a few years after my first trip to her house, I went to tell her the bad news. I was moving. Opportunities were taking me away for her. Her reaction surprised me. She was genuinely happy…for me! She celebrated my opportunities with this next chapter in my life and then, we said goodbye.
I don’t have many regrets in my life, but one I carry to this day, is that I wasn’t able to gift her with this original painting of her Tulips. Sadly, she passed before I could complete the painting and give it to her. But now, it’s with a happy heart that I include this Tulip offering among my greeting card collection and bookmarks. I hope this bookmark blesses you with a similarly rich connection as I shared with Mrs. M.
I did love her so.
All bookmarks are hand-signed by Melissa.
Bookmarks are printed on high-quality photo paper, in a protective sleeve with a jute tassel.
“If you ever need anything, just let me know.”
That short sentence, spoken perhaps out of habit - if I’m being totally honest - began a years-long friendship with one of my patients. She was 88 and I was in my early forties.
As a dental hygienist, I develop myriad relationships with my patients. With “Mrs. M”, that relationship was deep. A week or so after I uttered that short sentence…well, she called.
“I need your help,” she said. Worried, I asked her what she needed?
“I need my toenails clipped,” she replied. She needed something…and though it wasn’t what I had in mind with my initial offer… I obliged. I loaded up and drove over to her house.
That trip to Mrs. M’s house became the first of many, as we developed a deep and abiding friendship. I loved that old woman. She, in turn, loved me, and I knew in my heart it had nothing to do with the care I provided.
She loved many things about her life, but she held a special place in her heart for Tulips. They were her favorite flower, and they brought her great joy.
It was with a heavy heart that a few years after my first trip to her house, I went to tell her the bad news. I was moving. Opportunities were taking me away for her. Her reaction surprised me. She was genuinely happy…for me! She celebrated my opportunities with this next chapter in my life and then, we said goodbye.
I don’t have many regrets in my life, but one I carry to this day, is that I wasn’t able to gift her with this original painting of her Tulips. Sadly, she passed before I could complete the painting and give it to her. But now, it’s with a happy heart that I include this Tulip offering among my greeting card collection and bookmarks. I hope this bookmark blesses you with a similarly rich connection as I shared with Mrs. M.
I did love her so.
All bookmarks are hand-signed by Melissa.
Bookmarks are printed on high-quality photo paper, in a protective sleeve with a jute tassel.
