An inspiring patient story
I saw a patient of mine yesterday, who has been with me for the last 15 years. He is now all of 76. I see him every year for his check up, and he continues to inspire me. I met him what feels like an eon ago in the hospital right after his heart attack. I had done his cardiac catheterization and found a blockage that ended up needing stunting. We bonded after that, and it became an annual meetings of friends catching up rather than the strict doctor patient seriousness.
He has always loved the guitar and kept playing even after retiring. I recall telling him years ago that maybe he should form a band and play. He had joked that he was too old to do all that, but on some level I think it sparked a little flame of an idea, a distant dream awoken to the present. Every year he recapped his love for the guitar and explained how the music filled his whole being. He brought that same joy to other hobbies such as cooking, his other favorite passion.
He sat in the room patiently for my arrival, and burst a big smile, ear to ear when I entered the room. He proceeded to tell me about his latest adventures of cooking, making a variety of soups and has developed the art of baking. He had baked me a sour dough loaf and brought it in. He handed it to me with warmth in his heart, which I accepted with much gratitude.
Surprisingly he pulled out a flyer with a date and time and location. “ I created a band and we are playing a gig here, I hope you can come, they have great beer”, he informed.
I was full of amazement and contentment for him. He got his dream. He did not age stop him from achieving his childhood dream of performing shows with his guitar. He looks visibly younger each year I see him. There are those who age rapidly and appear much older than their prescribed age, yet he seems to be defying time. He exercises regularly, eats very healthy, does yoga and loves doing what he loves.
Than that is the secret of a youthful life. Doing what you love, and loving what you do. The answer to inspiration is finding the love of your heart and bringing that into the life that you live.
i wished him well, “ until next year my friend, see you on the big stages, I should get an autograph soon” I winked.
Find the heart space and live in it. Now if only we could get rid of our mind noise.
……………
I love you
Leave a Reply