Joy in the Waiting Room

Joy in the Waiting Room

"Are you the Mom of that cute boy I love?"

As I parked my car at the Tri City Medical Clinic in American Fork, Utah I had a flood of sweet and fun memories wash over me thinking of the many hours I had spent in this waiting room while raising my five children through all of the various medical needs of babies and children.  It had been well over 10 years since I had been here, and I was here to ask for my youngest son's immunization records.  (Tri City Medical Clinic is now Premier Family Medical Clinic.)

I thought about the many adventures in the waiting room with Joshua and usually two or three more young children, and the commotion and ruckus we always caused.  I always said that if you were ever bored or tired in a waiting room, just wait until Joshua walked in the room!!  He loved to meet every single person in the waiting room and behind the desk.  He shared his videos and books, sometimes putting them right in someone's face.  He said "hi" too many times to count.  He shook hands, gave high fives and pulled and patted arms.  And of course he threw things!  I remembered many kind and loving workers and patients.

Now as I walked in, I wanted to ask if anyone had worked there longer than 10 years so that I could ask if they remembered Joshua.  I felt a little silly, but I was determined to ask that before I left.  But I didn't even have to ask... 

As I was finishing up at the desk, the cute lady (Jodi) at the other desk suddenly asked:

"Are you the Mom of that cute boy I love?"

Joy and wonder overtook me as I excitedly answered "yes!"  You remember Joshua?  And then Jodi went on to talk about how much she loved it when Joshua came in and how he loved to share his book with her and show her the pages.  And I remembered too the kindness and patience and love Jodi gave to him when he repeatedly shared his book.  And then Jodi said "He was a joy."  And at that moment, she gave me the gift of joy.

As she reminisced, and we talked about his video tapes and greetings to people, Kelli, her co-worker, also remembered Joshua and we just talked and remembered sweet times together.

Their words will always be a treasured gift as these wonderful, beautiful ladies remembered and loved my very special son.  It is always difficult and heart-breaking to tell people who loved him that he had died.  And this was no different.  They were touched by the symbolism of his dying of an enlarged heart.  And their love for him is another drop of healing as I miss my precious son every day. 

I am so thankful for this sweet and precious gift of today.