Lost and Found

A Wonderful Woman

Nurse Anna Marie's P.O.V.

Shocked. If I could say any one word to describe what I had just saw it'd be that. How did she do that? Her daughter, that could be the only reason.

In the past days, I'd usually grab a chair and sit, I know it's bad and I always felt guilty about it but it was exhausting, sad, and hopeless to watch Emily stand in a position unable to move.

I was the nurse who marked the tape and times.

When we first started with Emily, it'd take her 49 minutes to walk what we walked in 6 seconds. It was just 4 steps.

You could see the struggle and it was so sad I couldn't watch. I'm glad she faced the opposite way because I don't think I would've been able to handle her facial expressions.

She made slow improvements the first few weeks. And then her daughter Eva showed up and the 49 minutes turned into 18! It was a huge improvement, I think we even had cake that night!

After a few months she could walk those 4 steps in 9 minutes, half the previous time!

She was a strong-willed woman. She still is, and now, I think more than ever.

I was amazed though. How she completed it all in 27 minutes I am astonished. I don't know why Jamie showing up meant more than Eva. But whatever the reason, I'm glad she finished it. Because now we can work on lowering her time, because once she completes something she tries I get it done better. She's a wonderful woman. I learn new things from her everyday.

One day, I was changing her urine bag, and she grabbed my arm.

"Is something wrong Mrs. Daves??"

"Why the formality Anna? Just because I'm a little over your age doesn't make me an old lady. Call me Emily please." She smiled a grand smile that made you smile back, I'm pretty sure if you were at gunpoint you'd still smile back. I don't know if it was as much from her looks as from her personality, but she was a wonderful woman. I know, I'm reiterating myself, but truth is truth. However many times you say it, it doesn't change it; simply enforces it.

"I'm sorry Emily."

"Now why are you sorry? You're manners are too much."

"I'm sorry" I couldn't help it.

"Anna! Do you know any other words in the English language?" She winked.

I laughed.

"That's better, but that's laughing not speaking."

I laughed again.

"Stop it. Right now." She demanded.

We both burst into laughter.

"But seriously Anna, you can act around me just as if you were with a friend your own age. I know I know. It's weird-"

"No it's not." I assure her.

"Okay, thank you. But I want you to know that, my family has been split and the runner up in life is friends. Will you be my friend Anna?"

I was shocked by the simplicity. I admired it and it was truly lovely. The way she spoke and her eyes, the glistening blue. The color of an ocean in movies, not the ones in real life because those are more brown than blue.

"Of course I will."

"Thank you. But first off, no more manners. Talk to me as if I were your friend. I've heard my daughter talk with all that swag-selfie-rad-basic stuff. Please enlighten me."

I laughed. Not only because it was funny but because, "I'm right where you are. We're on the same page. My kids use it and I get so lost." I explained.

We both burst into laughter and once it calmed she made me tell her about my family, and I got some information out of her too.

I still remember that conversation to this day. And I love it. Ever since I told her about my family I've also been telling my son about her too.

I dial his number so I can tell him about the amazing progress! I have told him everyday the progress made, and he listens and gives feedback. He's even visited Emily quite a bit because he knows how much she means to me. Friends do mean a lot.

The line goes through, "What mom?"

I named this boy properly. Because of his intellect and his snappy attitude and voice I don't think there could've been a better name.

"Raven, honey let me tell you about Emily..."