Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 76, 10 July 1942, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied by ilie YVliakatfine Minist cm' Associalion)

A NURSE'S DAY

'■Quarter past five, Nurse.''' The Night Sister's knock sounded at Elsa Turnbull's door. For one moment there was no movement from the still figure in the bed, and then with a rueful sigh, the girl slipped out and began quickly to don her nursed uniform. "I wonder what new cases will be admitted to-day," she thought, at she dressed. "Don't know where we'll put them —our ward'j full now Guess we'll be hours late coming of! duty again to-day. What a life.' . And then as she tucked a stray curl out of tiie way under her trim little cap, her eyes fell on a framed cart on her wall. "A Hcvspital Nurse's Dedication." "O Lord, my God, this walk I under take - Alone in Thy great Name, and fo: Thy sake, In ministering to suffering, I avoul< learn The sympathy that in Thy heart di< burn For those, who toiling on life's wear way Unto diseases divers were a prey. Take then my eyes . . . "" The sound of hurrying feet in th corridor recalled the girl to a sens of the time, and dropping on he knees by the bed for a moment, sh said simply: "Lord, help me to re member that Thou said: 'I'nasmucl . . .' Help me to-day to be kind. Some of the patients had had ; bad night. There were drawn am wistful faces that greeted the nev day—another day that would be s like yesterday. But a smile came int. many of the tired eyes as the doo of the ward opened to admit littl Nurse Turnbull. Pain was forgottei for a little as she chatted gaily t the men while making the beds. "Nurse, I was telling you abou those Avild grandchildren of mine IVe got a snap of them here . . . Eha, as she was hurrying by, stop peel by the old man's bedside to sa; how bonny the children were. In wardly she was thinking. "Two min utes until Sister comes on duty I'n well behind with my work this morn ing, worse luck." "Nurse, 1 wonder if 1 could hav a drink of water, please? I'm awful ly dry." Elsa remembered giving that on two cups of tea at morning tea tim —ten minutes ago. But she set dowi her tray of medicines and quickl; went to fetch the drink, and felt 're warded by the grateful smile. A she hurried back to her medicine she saw a hot water bottle, Ion: since cold, lying at the foot of patient-eyed white haired old man [n one moment Elsa looked awa; thinking "I simply haven't time. I'n so far behind with these extn things already." . Then into her mini came the picture of her Dedicatioi card, and she read— "Take then my eyes and teach then to. perceive The ablest way each poor one t( relieve — "Like this rilled, Mr Smith?" sh< asked cheerily. "Oh, Nurse, thank you. I didn'l like to ask you. You're so busy witl this full Avard." And so throughout the day, sc many little extra calls— "Clothe me with patient strength all tasks to bear"—murmured Else to herself, as she smilingly Avent tc answer the peremptory summons ol an old Irishman, to "Fill this pipe

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

ursc." As s:l:e deftly cut the tobacco and filled the grimy pipe, she heard vigorous swearing and lurid 2 language from the bed of a young 1 bushman. t Elsa's broAv puckered. "Crown me 2 with courage true which knows no 1 fear"—sang itself through her head, t and with a firm step she went across s —"Mr Maloney: I'm surprised at you. Don't let me hear any more 2 of this." s As the balcony door closed behind - her, she did not see the respectful • admiring looks from more than one • bed, and the young bushman said, ' rather shamefacedly: "Jove, I didn't 1 know she was in the ward. There's 3 a real genuine woman for you." } "Nurse Turnbull, will you admit this new patient, please?" As Elsa came forward to take charge of a lad with a crudely bandaged arm, she saw the apprehension in the large grey eves, and unr derstocd the feeling of that was in his heart. Her smile was very kind as she tucked him in between the j white sheets, and for a moment she stopped to ask him of his home and his people. The look of fear faded, 1 and an amusing smile came into the lad's eyes as he described animatedly the large roomy old house with its big lawns and the inmates of that R dear old home. c Not in vain had Elsa petitioned— r Take, too, my lips Q Gcd; guide Thou my tongue Give me a word in season for each „ one." J The insistent ringing of the teleJ phone brought Elsa from the ward. As she Avent with the message to 3 Sister's office her face was pale. 3 "The Ambulance people ringing, r Sister. There's been a terrible fire 2 in a cottage. An old woman has i been burnt to death. The ambulance > is bringing the husband in now. He's badly burnt." t As the special Avard Avas being ■ quickly prepared for the case, Elsa's • thoughts Avent once more to the - card on her Avail— i "Grant faith, that coming face to face with death j Shall e'en inspire AA r ith you the dying breath." Her day Avas done at last. "Satis- : factory," Elsa reflected, as she slipped out of her uniform. "Certainly I got the expected blast from Sis- ; ter for being behind with my work • —but there Avere lots of eompensai tions." But a knock came to> the door, and • the Sister of Men's Ward said: "I ; was looking for you, Nurse Turnbull. ; I'm sorry, but someone Avill have , to special that last to->niglit. That old man is A T ery loav. Will you be ready for duty at 8 o'clock please." The disappointment Elsa felt dkl not show in her face as she answered "Yes Sister." "All through the arduous day my actions guide And 'mid the lone night watch be by my side."'—prayed Elsa, as she watched the sick man through the long night. .And at last it Avas morning, and she Avas relieved. As she slipped Avearily out of her uniform once more, her e3'es fell on the last lines of her dedication— "And when, Avorn out with toil, I go to rest, Send sleep, and come in dreams to be my Guest. So shall I Avake, refresh with strength to say Work in me, through me. Avith me, Lord, this daj'."