Love takes on many different faces. Like a multifaceted diamond, it shines through as deliciously as a box of chocolates, a child’s giggle, a cat-snuggle, a Valentine, or a CT tech named Leonard. You may not have met Leonard in person, as he works at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, but you’ve undoubtedly encountered his love many times.
He’s the one who makes you feel all is well, even when it’s not.
He’s the one who sees how scared to death you are and somehow makes you laugh for a moment.
He’s the one who tenderly lifts you into place when you are too sick to move yourself.
He’s the one who tells you that you don’t have to drink any more of that nasty liquid when you can’t sip one sip more.
He’s the one who takes good care of you when you need it most.
Leonard shining brightly!
See, I told you. You’ve encountered Leonard, haven’t you? His name may not be Leonard in your life. He may even be a her. And maybe your Leonard’s gestures are different than my Leonard’s. But mine has done all of these things for me during my last two years of CAT scans, and God willing, will continue to do so.
He probably has no idea how brightly his light shines Grace on those in his care. I’m here to tell him.
Thank you, Leonard.
Bless you.
And, Leonard, when I gave you that box of handmade toffee as a Valentine, I forgot to ask: Will you be mine?
Beautifully said, with the perfect words. Love and prayers, Sharon
Thank you. Leonard is the perfect subject.
Fabulous Gayle.Thank you for your words.I hope everything went well
with your tests.
Barbara
Thanks, Barbara. Glad you stopped in. I will miss choir Tuesday evening due to another test.
See you when I get back.
Gayle – you are love personified. We have never met, goodness knows we live on exact opposites of the continent, yet I can always find your love shining to everyone through your words and pictures. I would guess many of your friends and readers will agree you are the Leonard in our lives!
How Sweet! His shoes are pretty big! But I’d be happy to be one of your Leonards!
Gayle…aren’t we all so grateful for the “Leonards” in the world that do exactly what you so eloquently described in this blog! I do believe that these people have a special gift to embrace others so that they might feel the touch of God and the comfort His Love can bring through them. What a blessing it is for those of us who read your blog that you are willing to share your appreciation for the gifts of this life that you recognize in spite of the adversities you have faced. Love to you from one of your fans…
Thank you, Sandi! I agree, we are blessed to have such gifted healers in our lives. May they continue sharing their gifts!
I had a sweet “Leonard” he had to change my IV to lipids. We found away so it didn’t hurt so much… drum roll then he stayed at my bedside for the rest of his shift. Not that i was any company.
As for you —you have always been my bright and shinny spot.
Bless you. I think we both brightened each others life for the past 50 years!
Very nice blog, and I was thinking of you when Bruno and I hiked around Packers Bay today…the wild flowers were poking through the old winter leaves. Leonard must elicit smiles and comfort as the flowers do, with renewed hope for Spring to come.
xo Joy
Ah, sweet spring. Bring it on!
You warm my heart with every story. Praying all the reports are great, and Leonard will come smiling through again~ Our feeling for our Precious Dr. Ernie are so much the same as yours for Leonard…boy do we miss that man! xoxoxo Mary
Thanks, Mary. I know both you and Lloyd have your own band of Leonard-angels!
Oh, yes Gayle. I have had those same exact thoughts..especially regarding the people in the Cath Lab OR. They ALWAYS seem to know what I am feeling and try to make me feel as comfortable and normal as possible. (if that is indeed possible in that situation). They even put up with my low chanting. I love them all dearly…though they may not always be the same people. I respect them and what they do so much..they let me know what is up & what is going on the entire time I am in there. Me being comfortable is so important to them in that moment…how wonderful that is.
You put it beautifully….how precious certain people, who are “just doing their job” can be! LOVE!!
Aren’t they the best! Reminds us that we truly are all in this together!
This may sound wierd to you…but you look absolutely beautiful in that picture. XOXO
Yes, but I expect weird things from you! ha ha
God Bless you, Gayle! Beautiful story.
Yes, I have had my ‘Leonards’, though not to the extent you have…and I bet Leonard is already yours! Your light shines like a beacon to all who know you.
Love, Nancy
Thank you, Nancy! Thank God we have those who support us. Like each other!
All those loving touches, encouraging words, warm smiles come from God’s special angels watching over us. How blessed we are especially when we notice and give thanks. You’re one of mine.
You’re one of mine first! ha ha
You are the love
You are the right face
You are the answer
You are the blissful place
Thank you for all things YOU
Love your poetry–love your poetry source!
Thank you my beautiful little friend. You make me happy more than you will ever know.
Gayle, Thanks so much for sharing your angel “Leonard” with all of us.
There are many angels here on earth, we just need to recognize them. It
seems your sharing on this blog is an angel act. I pray all tests are
coming out good for you. Love, Peggie
Thank you, Peggie. I lovingly accept your prayers. And as always, cherish your support. You’ve shared many blessings with me. Should know more about my tests next week.
Thank you, Leonard, for your beautiful smile and loving care to Gayle and your other patients. What a blessing that you went in to the medical field. You’re one of those angels we truly love and appreciate! May God continue to bless you, Gayle!
Thank you, Canda. He does bless me every day. If I’m ever in doubt I just look at the mountains outside my front door!
Dear Gayle,
First off THANK YOU for such a beautiful compliment… Very nice of you to say.
One of my goals in life is to be able to touch and do things for someone in need. Most of the time it tends to come in the form of laughter and love. So knowing I touched you in that way gives me such a delightful feeling in my heart. I work with an amazing team of technologist at CPMC and they really do help me perform as well as I do. We are considered the different CT techs because we use laughter to soothe our patients…. but we believe when a patient comes into our department the last thing they want to think about is pain or the results of their test… SOOOOOOOOOO if we can take their minds off of those things with fun, laughter and love for the 30 minutes they spend with us, I get a burst of pleasure knowing we have succeeded. I know it may sound weird hearing that but it really does work most of the time. In fact, sometimes when some of our patients leave our CT department they tell me, “I can’t believe I am saying this but I had so much fun that I forgot I was having a CT test”. I think to myself, “Well, that means we did our job then”.
Gayle it is a pleasure knowing you and I have to say, last week when you came in for your test, you were my Leonard. Thanks again for the Chocolates and for always sharing your kindness though that smile and hug or yours.
Good energy sent your way
Leonard
Leonard! Hey, everybody, look, it’s Leonard! 🙂
It has been my absolute pleasure telling the world how wonderful you are and how much your gentle care means to me. (us patients).
CAT scans are scary, and the warm sensation that runs through your body when the 2nd dye is injected makes one feel that things are really out of control! So it’s a comfort to have someone treat us patients as if we are a whole person, with fears instead of a patient with a disease.
Bless you again. I’m honored you wrote a comment!