"We Are One"

So, in the Spring I was doing some volunteer work at an Oncologists office in North Miami Beach. One of our clients, Rose, came in for follow up care for her intestinal tumor. She is originally from Jamaica and like myself, she is a nurse. She was beautifully dressed with a colorful red and yellow dress and flowery sandals. She has to get injections every week and she asked the doc if she could give them to herself. As she was preparing the medication I sat beside her and we chatted. She had been an OB nurse in Jamaica and people from her community would come to her home when they were worried about this or that. She has such a kind face and gentle way, no wonder they would come.

As she slowly prepared her injection that required a big, fat needle, we talked about all the fruits you can pick right off the trees in Jamaica and how great it is to swim in the clear, blue water. We discovered we both love coconut and sunsets.

Without a single peep she gave herself the injection and I cleaned up afterward and as she was getting ready to leave she reached her beautiful, capable, long, black arms around me and pulled me to her and said boldly, "We are one," and she didn't let me go for about a minute.

There we stood in our differences and in our sameness.

HOAM volunteer Janice Arcieri was asked by someone at the Department of Social Services to collect travel size toiletries - anything from tooth paste to ladies stuff. These things will be given to homeless folks in need. I hope when they receive these small but significant necessities they will know that they were donated with love and with the kind of warm energy that says.....we are one.

With every best wish and a big one minute cyber-style Rose hug from - Donna Rae