I have awesome respect for some of AD’s authors who continue to overcome physical and mental disabilities, terminal sickness, and life challenges to produce priceless works of genius through the written word. You know who you are and you are special. Yes, these special people continue to touch and enrich our lives through their proof positive works of brilliance. Therefore, I find it appropriate and noteworthy to dedicate this writing to their unstoppable, unsinkable super human spirit.
If you are fortunate enough to stumble upon their talented and inspirational works, please know that they are special folks deserving of our admiration and respect.
I further dedicate this poem to my Mother (Eluteria Saulibio) on Kaua’i, Hawaii, who tirelessly tends to the home bound and brings Catholic communion to those in the hospital.
I love you Mom.

“To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides...”
(David Viscott)

No one in the terminally ill ward really knew who she was,
A skinny white-haired lady, very plain to see
Except for the permanent smile and a friendly hand,
Daily, promptly at 7am and 7pm as happy as she could be,
With a squeaky cart and tray full of flowers and bibles,
She had something to change those with a glum to a glee,
When asked, she shrugged and said “To Fill My Days...and yours...”
Is all that mattered,
She was a beautiful angel in disguise,
Knew everyone’s name regardless of their size.
Black, White, Asian, or Arab, Young and old, bald and balding,
The frail, and not so frail.
Those getting ready to cross over to the after life
were especially dear to her, as if she knew without knowing.
Then there was little Lisa, barely 8 with no hair, tubes...
she’d sleep, awaken, only to find the Lady constantly filling her Day.
She read old-fashioned lullabies and stories to take away the pain...
You see
Lisa’s blessed Day finally came and the Angles sang, a bright light filled the ward and all welcomed Lisa home.
Standing closely by, the skinny white haired lady smiled with approval, but I could see a tear, not of sadness,
but happiness.
Then they wheeled in Mr. Wilson, a grumpy and angry man.
He refused help and wanted nobody’s hand.
He angrily said, “Who are you?”, “I don’t need help, you’re nothing to me, go away!”
But she did not, for all that mattered Mr. Wilson was hers to have.
Days passed and the scene repeated itself. Anger, hostility, refusal, rudeness.
Then the ice cracked when she stopped coming.
Where is she?
Everyone asked as a buried treasure had gone lost.
Mr. Wilson struggled to find, why in my mind
did she go away?
“I am here...” she said, “I haven’t left...but now I must leave soon.
You see, my time is filled and now I give this to you."
"...Pray for me as I have prayed for you,
Your stings of hatred are but butterflies in the wind,
No one catches them, no one ever will.
I give you my cart and tray, full of gifts of the heart
please bring joy to all from the start,
For their days are short and need to be filled
with your smile and love, expecting nothing in return---
is all the price to be paid for heaven’s sake..."
With that, the skinny haired lady slowly turned and walked away, her smile an everlasting touch.
With empty hands and heart, Mr. Wilson was perplexed, he wanted to know
Who she was.
When asked, the staff did not know, they thought Mr. Wilson had gone mad.
For there never was a person he thought he had.
Near the Nurses Station was a bronze plaque with a worn black and white picture of a woman, full of grace,
It wrote---
“Dedicated to all the medical personnel who bring comfort and grace, to fill the days with love and embrace...”
"That’s her!" Mr. Wilson pointed...
Who?
The nurses looked with a stare,
They said she’s been dead for many a year.
But how could that be?
You see, it could have been an imagination or a spirit,
Not for anyone
Except for those filling their days waiting to be touched by the Hand of God.

Copyright © 2007 by Myles Saulibio § All Rights Reserved

P.S.
The power of scripture...
The beauty of music...
A gift of comfort, understanding and joy...
The Greatest of these is love...
Love of God, of humanity and of self: in all its manifestations, love is the supreme redemptive power in our lives. Despite centuries of poetry and song about love, it is still the Bible, which most deeply and expressively describes Its significance. Celebrate the most sacred gift we have—and share it with loved ones—with these eternal, awe-inspiring selections, which include passages from Ruth, the Song of Solomon, Corinthians and John.
Featuring beautiful classical music interwoven thoughout the program, The Greatest of These is Love is a powerfully inspirational listening experience you'll return to again and again.
Please click and enjoy the link below, a free 5 minute audiobook sample of “The Greatest of These is Love”.