A change of perspective

I'm a home health nurse. I went to see one of my patients today that I have been seeing for about a year and a half. Almost two years ago, she had an ATV (aka: four wheeler) accident. She was 28 years old. She has use of her arms, but cannot feel or move anything from her chest down. From day one, her mom has been saying that she's going to walk again. I've never really been encouraging. I just stand there and nod my head sympathetically. Sometimes I'd say, "Well, maybe. You never know." But I never really meant it. Often, I've thought how her mom has just not ever really accepted the way her daughter is always going to be.

Well, today as I was leaving, her mom wished me a happy new year. She said, " You never know what might happen next year." Then, I said I'd be back next month to see her again. Then, the mom said, "Maybe when you come back she'll be walking. That was my Christmas wish." Then, I got it. After a year and a half of thinking that the mom was just not accepting, I finally got it. This mom wasn't delusional. She's a mom. She wishes and hopes for the best for her daughter. How come I couldn't see it before? I wish and hope and pray for a cure for diabetes every day. That isn't any different from what that mom has been doing. I feel so stupid for pitying her before. I told the mom that I hoped I'd see the patient walk again and you never know what cure is just around the corner. And this time I meant it with all my heart.