Thoughts from a Waiting Room
I have spent the last couple of days in and out of an ICU waiting room. There are only two people allowed in my dad’s room at a time, so the family is taking alternating periods in the waiting room. Since we are at a large hospital there has been a lot of turnover of patients and their families in the last 48 hours. Spending all these hours in the waiting room has shown me a few things while watching people.

1. Support is Vital. Everyone needs a support network of people. I once read that people in the hospital who have numerous visitors recover faster than those who have few to no visitors. I am not sure of the scientific proof, but experientially I know it is true. All of us want and need the support of people who love us. That leads me to two thoughts. One, “What kind of support do I have? Two, “What kind of support am I?” I need to continually remind myself of the power of mutual support.

2. Religion is Important. I have seen three ministers visiting with families and a few people offering up prayers. There is a Bible on the table and a chaplain walking through the ICU offering any support she can. The old expression is “there are no atheists in foxholes.” It is almost equally true that there are no atheists in ICU waiting rooms. While I believe our faith in God is important everyday of life, it is vital in life’s darkest hours.

3. Life is Precious. We take so many days for granted. We take most of our relationships for granted too. When we are faced with life and death situations we appreciate every moment we have been given with the people we love. My question is, “Why do we wait until these moments to value our time together.” Share your love today.

4. “You never know what’s coming for you” This is one of my favorite lines in the movie Benjamin Button. It touches me because of its harsh reality. Walking to my father’s room I have seen a younger man in a room, a middle age woman and people of various ages. The rooms are not just full of old people, but all people. Life is precious and you never know when it will end.

I suppose all of this comes together in my mind today. Sitting in ICU I am surrounded by family, I cling to my faith and I treasure each moment with my dad, because I really didn’t see this coming. Then I adjust my sights to those around me. Their life is precious and I have no idea what is coming for them. I hope I can build them up in their faith and support them through their dark hours. I especially hope to show them love today as if it were our last day together.

What if our lives looked everyday like they do in the ICU waiting room?