Unbeatable Love

I just witnessed the most amazing display of love and courage that I have ever scene in my life.

Let me first explain something to you. 

I am selfish.

You all know I work in the hospital. And given this occupation, I see a lot of pain, suffering, and too often times, death. 

And perhaps that in itself has given me a morbid sense of reality. 

Every time a trauma comes through the doors of the ER, I wince. I see the frightened looks on the faces of the family members. 

And I can only think of one thought:

"I would rather be on that trauma bed than witnessing this as a mother, or sister, or friend." 

If someone has to die, I want it to be me. If I die, I win. But if I live, I must live through pain. I'll say it again, I am selfish.

Well, today I witnessed a simple, yet incredible, interaction.

I went to the ICU to take a chest x-ray of a gentleman, and when I pushed my machine into the room, I noticed two distraught women sobbing by the side of this gentleman's bed. His wife and daughter. 

When they glanced in my direction, they took their cue and stood trying to wipe the tears from their eyes. And as they did, I heard the daughter whisper to her father one simple, profoundly courageous statement. 

"Dad, if you need to go, GO. Don't worry about us." 

Wow. The most unselfish statement in the world. 

This woman, in an incredible show of love and courage, releases her father of his pain and takes it on herself. Rather than ask him to continue to live in pain so that she won't hurt, she frees him of that responsibility with one simple command: GO. 

How hard would that be? How hard would it be to tell one of the people you love the most that it is okay to leave you, knowing you may not see them again? 

I can only attempt to imagine the faith, love, and courage it would take to say that to someone I love.