The Beginning of it All.

The story starts way back when i was ten years old. I was an ambitious ten year old, and at some point i got in my mind that i needed a job. I don't remember why, probably out of sheer boredom that only a ten year old in the middle of the summer can fathom. I started making flyers, flyers for dog walking, babysitting, gardening, just about any service i could offer to the tolerant people in my subdivision. I think every week those house's had a new hand written flyer shoved into their mail slots. I received no response for weeks, probably months, but i was persistent child and one day a old woman called, and it set something in motion inside me.

Her name was Murial. She had to have been at least 80 years old and bound to a wheel chair. She hired me to walk the love of her life, a small poodle named Buddy.  I was over joyed at the opportunity. Looking back, i realize that i, a crazy haired, ten year old was the only help she had. We became friends, Murial, Buddy, and I. Some afternoons i would spend with her in her dining room. She squinted to see me and later came to find out, diabetes has taken most of her sight. She would tell me about her childhood in Scotland and about her grandchildren who were about my age. 

Pretty soon walking Buddy was only part of what i was doing for Murial. I would help her with her laundry every week and some small chores around the house, i would rake her leaves, and even go with my parents pick her up groceries. One day i went to her door, like i always did and there was no answer. For days my mom called around to different hospitals in the area. We finally found her only to be informed that she was hospitalized and dying. She died a few days later. I don't remember much about that time besides wishing i could have done more for her. I look back on that time and realized what Murial did for me. She taught me how to have compassion, and how to be selfless. She helped cultivate a passion, and maybe she is the reason the elderly and disabled hold a very special place in my heart. At ten years old Murial was my first patient.