Hello, Cutie!

I hear the squeak of the chair 

   as he enters my office—

“Hello,Cutie! Can I have a coffee?”

His smile is infectious!

Some days, he reminisces.

Most days, he is focused on his coffee,

...and sometimes, the person behind it.

Kindness truly is the “universal” language…

and those smiles—both given and received—

          the best reward!

© Ginny Brannan 2019

One of my tasks at work is to serve coffee to those who ask. We used to have it out for folks to help themselves, but for safety reasons it has to be served now. "Barista" is my new middle name! (Or "Cutie." I'll answer to that too!)

Carefully tiptoeing HIPAA guidelines here: No name, no age, or identifying markers.

The Time Thief

There’s this man I’ve come to know

he stops each day to say hello

he stays for just a little while

with gentle voice and ready smile.

The Time Thief’s taken quite a lot

so many things now he’s forgot;

and though he still recalls the past

he isn’t sure what he did last.

His lovely wife arrived here first

and he, for better or for worse

came to join her, followed suit—

unhappy, yes,  but resolute.

 He struggles now to understand

this place he’d never thought he’d land.

His voice grows quiet, fades away…

forgetting what he wants to say.

a shadow furrows his thin brow,

then he returns to here and now.

He smiles, then he says “goodbye”

and turns to leave without reply.

The Time Thief watches from the wings,

knowing that he pulls the strings.

He lies in wait to take away

all that we would do or say.

He scrambles thoughts and spits them out

and he is, without a doubt,

the worst threat to the elderly

…unable to just let them be.

Yet for moment on this day,

we held the evil thief at bay.

© Ginny Brannan 2018

Cole’s Song

I wrote this a few years ago to honor my dear, sweet little cousin Cole, my cousin Michael's grandson. His mom, Hanna, is an amazing woman, and has advocated for him every step of the way, including speaking before congress in support of a National Database for Undiagnosed Diseases.  In recent days Cole's previously undiagnosed disease has finally been given a name: Vanishing White Matter Disease. Yes, it is as serious as it sounds.  I thought I would share this poem again. It is a prayer of sorts… and if you are prone to praying, please whisper one for this little guy, and for the family that carries him in their hearts…

Cole's Song

God bless this child

His mommy and daddy too

Give them peace and strength

The kind that comes from You

Let them know You care

You’re always by their side

Let them feel Your love

And in their hearts abide

God bless this child

He was born a cold March day

A healthy, normal boy

A twinkle in his eye

His Papa’s pride and joy

Who could’ve know then

What would be his fate?

A multitude of surgeries

What trials would await…

God bless this child

His mommy and daddy too

Give them peace and strength

The kind that comes from You

Let them know You care

You’re always by their side

Let them feel Your love

And in their hearts abide

God bless this child

‘…and a little child shall lead’

So the story goes

Cole, you’ve touched so many hearts

Perhaps God only knows

Or perhaps it’s not that hard

The reason seems quite clear

To teach us all “Have faith”

Perhaps that’s why you’re here

God bless this child

His mommy and daddy too

Give them peace and strength

The kind that comes from You

Let them know You care

You’re always by their side

Let them feel Your love

And in their hearts abide

God bless this child

©  Copyright Ginny Brannan January 6, 2011
Photos of Cole used with permission, Hanna Welch

This is written as a tribute to my little cousin Cole. He suffers from a disease which includes seizure disorder, and diminished hearing and eyesight. He has undergone multiple surgeries in his brief life, but remains one of the happiest little guys I know.

To learn more about Cole go to http://www.colescause.com/