The Greatest Gift I ever Gave, and ReceThu, 02/13/2014 - 03:14

The Greatest Gift I ever Gave, and Received
I sat in Mia's tiny second floor bedroom, as I had every Thursday afternoon for the past year--I, Mia's hospice volunteer, and she, my 37-year-old hospice patient, dying of a rare blood disease. We talked, as we always did, of Mia's 18-year-old son and his most recent antics. We watched the Young and the Restless. I lit Mia's cigarettes, carefully making sure the ashes didn't fall and burn her T-shirt. "Do you want to write in your Memory book this week, Mia?" "No," she quietly replied. "Not this week." As our visit was ending and I was getting ready to leave, Mia, somewhat anxiously, commented on the two bracelets I was wearing on my right wrist, the same two bracelets I had been wearing on my right wrist, every day, for the last 15 years--my cherishe "button bracelets," one gold and one silver, given to me by my parents when I graduated from college. "Sally, those bracelets are so pretty, so different-let me try one on-please?" Without hesitation, I "unbuttoned" my silver bracelet and fastened it on Mia's thin and fragile wrist. Mia held her wrist up to her eyes and began to cry. "Mia, what is it, why are you crying, what's wrong?" "This is the nicest present anyone has ever given me." Mia tearfully said. "Thank you, Sally. Thank you so much. I'll never-ever-take it off." My stomach felt tight and my heart began to beat uncomfortably fast. Present? What was Mia thinking? I gave her my bracelet to try on, NOT to keep. But she's crying, she's so happy; I can't take it from her now.... I gave Mia a big hug and told her I would be honored for her to keep my bracelet, and wear it, and never take it off. I then turned and left, walked down the stairs and out the front door, never to return again. Mia died before my next visit. That last day with Mia, we gave gifts to each other, though I didn't know it at the time. I gave Mia my most cherished button bracelet, a piece of me, to keep close to her as she took her final steps from this world to the next. In turn, Mia gave me the gift of Living. For, everyday, when I look at my single gold button bracelet, alone on my right wrist, I think of Mia. I think about how life is limited and can be taken from us well before we are ready to leave it. I remember to live every day as if it were my last, without regrets and to the fullest. To Mia, I thank you......