The Three Rings

 

The Three Rings

 Recently I was seeing a patient of mine. She was in her early 70’s and was quite healthy. She was always cheerful with a smile on her face. I loved her positive attitude and we had a great visit discussing her preventive care. Towards the end of the visit, I noticed the necklace she was wearing. It was three intertwined rings, each with a name on them. I said to her that this is very nice and asked her if those were her children? She said yes, those were her three children. I asked her if they lived nearby. She looked at me and said in a very matter of fact way, “no, they are all dead”!

 I was taken aback. I asked, what happened? She replied – her daughter was in her 20’s and married with children. She developed gall bladder problems and had to have surgery. This surgery was botched according to her and her daughter died. The grandchildren went with their father and she has not seen them since. She does not know where they live.

 Her older son was also in his 20’s was killed in a car accident. The youngest son got married and had a son, but at the age of 48 he had a heart attack and died. His son is the one grandchild she is still in touch with. Today, she herself lives with her husband. He gave her the necklace in memory of their children.

 She spoke to me about her husband and the wonderful relationship she has with him. She told me that they have been great support for each other. She also told me that she takes comfort in the fact that she will be reunited with her children one day.

 I reflected a lot on her journey in life. What impressed me the most was her positive attitude and cheerful nature. There is a lesson I learnt here. Life may give us setbacks and tragedies, but it does not stop us from looking at the positives we have and maintaining a positive attitude. I am grateful to my patient for teaching me this.