The Delightful Life Detour
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just Say Yes
By Vickie G. Rodgers

Our greatest fulfillment lies in giving ourselves to others.
~Henri J.M. Nouwen, Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World

I have read many times that we don’t meet people by accident; they are meant to cross our paths for a reason. This was most certainly true when several years ago, my life took a bit of a delightful detour when I met the most wonderful eighty-nine-year-old long-term care resident, Ms. Ruby. I am firmly convinced that our paths were meant to cross so that we could share a special friendship.

Our initial introduction occurred while I was teaching a nursing clinical course at the care center where she lived. “You need to meet our new resident, Ruby! She is in room 618 and you will love her,” the charge nurse shared with me one day at the beginning of our day. I simply poked my head in her room to say hello and five years later we are what Ruby refers to as BFFs (Best Friends Forever). (Keep reading)