I frequently read seemingly touching articles by folk in a
position of modest power or superiority, usually a doctor or teacher, sometimes
a nurse, who expatiates on all the wonderful things he or she has learned from
patients or students – those inferior beings who, one is amazed to learn, can
have something of moment to impart to the august other. Generally this something has to do with
the “meaning of life,” or accepting the slings and arrows with which unfair fate burdens them. I have to say
that I too, frequently learn things from my patients, often things which have a
lasting impact on my life. I am
not talking about realizations with great philosophical impact, but with impact
of another sort. Most recently, a
patient told me that nearly everyone in life started peeling bananas from the
wrong end. It is very difficult to
get the peel opened up at the stem end, she said, and often requires a knife or
a very strong thumb nail. The
blossom end, on the other hand is soft and easy to poke into. “Try it,” she commanded, handing me a
banana from her dinner tray. I
did, and was amazed. It was a revelation. This is the sort of thing I learn from
my patients – much more useful than eye-openers on the meaning of life. I frequently get good tips on books to
read, and have met some of my favorite mystery authors through patient
recommendations. I think of these
patients every time I come across a new book by the author they introduced me
to.
Once, years ago, a patient was knitting a little beaded purse.
I was intrigued, and she told me in detail how to make one. I have made several and think of her
every time. I have to admit that I
purchased a booklet with the directions as I didn’t quite trust her to have
remembered every step (all those narcotics, you know, can cloud the memory),
but she had it exactly right. I
could have saved the price of the booklet if I had not been “ye of little
faith.”
Yes, one does learn valuable lessons from those we serve, and
I am grateful for every one of them.
5 comments:
I knew that banana-peeling tip--I can't believe I didn't tell you! It also gets more of the little strings off of the banana's surface.
Love the ourse.
I heard the banana tip a few years ago and followed it but since have gone back to my old way.
I don't know why.
You didn't tell me that, but you did tell me how to peel a pineapple!
How interesting! Now I also learned something today – about how to peel a banana. And what a beautiful purse.
That is a beautiful little purse. I never heard of peeling the other end of the banana. I will try it in front of friends & family and see their reactions. They'll probably assume I'm losing it.. :)
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