Todays Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

[Guest guest]

Synergetic Souls

By Malinda Carlile

The harsh clamor of my alarm roused me from placid slumber. Exhausted

from

working late the night before, a million tasks awaited me at home. All of

this,

combined with the fact that it was Labor Day, made it especially difficult

to

drag myself out of bed, but thankfully I did.

This was Monday, my regular volunteer day at the -Boushay House,

an

adult day-health and residential care facility for people living with AIDS

and

other life-threatening illnesses. When I first arrived, it was unusually

quiet.

After checking in with two different floors, I thought about heading home.

Just then one of the nurses came up to me and spoke of a patient who

was

having an especially hard time. " I can't stay with Igor right now, but

could

you go and sit by his side and calm him as best you can? "

" Sure. It doesn't look like much is going on this morning anyway. " As

I

turned to walk down the hall, the nurse added, " By the way, I think you

should

know that Igor is a Russian concert pianist, and he is dying. " I nodded

silently and proceeded on my way.

As a volunteer, my first priority was to provide companionship, as well

as

to run errands for the residents and take them to their doctors'

appointments.

Each Monday brought a unique set of experiences.

When I walked into his room, I noticed that Igor was semicomatose. As

I

sat beside him, holding his hand and talking to him, I didn't feel as if I

were

making a connection. When I decided to move my chair to the other side of

his

bed, I found a letter sitting on the night table, so I decided to read it to

him.

The letter was spiritual and heartfelt. It mentioned how much joy Igor

and

his music had brought to this world. His friend also reminded Igor how much

he

adored Beethoven, Bach and Schubert, and how Igor would soon be playing the

piano for the angels in heaven.

All of a sudden Igor's eyes began to open, so I read the letter again.

Then, without even thinking twice, I stood up, placed a CD in the stereo and

pushed play. Beautiful piano music played as I placed my hand on his chest.

It

seemed like a soothing, peaceful and centering gesture.

Igor's chest muscles were tight and his breathing labored. " Igor, it's

okay to go. It's time, " I whispered. Softly I said, " Relax, take deep

breaths

and feel the music. " Much to my surprise, he did. Igor's muscles calmed,

and

his breathing slowed. Then, like a proud coach, I said, " Wonderful. Do it

again...Perfect! " Igor had a shining sparkle in his eyes.

'I guess you have to be somewhat of a perfectionist to be a concert

pianist,' I deduced. Igor liked being perfect. It almost seemed as though

he

were performing his final concert. I continued speaking positive words of

encouragement. At one point, I thought he might like me to place my hand on

his

forehead, but as I moved my hand, he reached up and brought it back to his

chest.

At last, Igor took his last breath. I waited and asked, " Are you there

yet? " When he started to come back, I said, " No...no, " as I patted his

chest.

" You made it. I am proud of you. " Then Igor let go.

I stayed with him about ten minutes and collected myself. I couldn't

believe I had it in me to do something like that. Our souls had connected.

I

felt overwhelmed by the power of the human spirit.

As a nurse in a childbirth center, I'm accustomed to guiding women

through

labor almost every day. I surprised myself by saying the exact same things

to

Igor that I usually say to women in labor.

As I sat by Igor's side, I contemplated how these intense and magical

experiences of birth and death are similar. From the moment of birth to the

moment of death, we all need encouragement, love and the human touch.