I Wondered Why She Wanted Me to See Her Dying Brother

A lonely journey

Her house is not handicapped accessible for someone like me. I was bringing some groceries to my friend Dawn who has been caring for her severely disabled brother for about three years. With the uneven ground and steps going into the house, I would not be able to carry anything inside. Dawn came out to the car in her nightgown and took the bags out and placed them by the front door.

She came to the driver’s side window and asked if I wanted to come in to see him. I told her I would do whatever she wanted. I didn’t see any reason why I should hike on uneven ground to see someone I didn’t have a relationship with who may not even know I was there. She said it would be easier for me to go in the back door since it went directly into his room. She clearly wanted me to go.

Dawn helped me get out of the car and hike down the steep hill to the door under the deck. It was easy enough to walk once we were inside. My focus was to be supportive of what Dawn was doing. I had no real need to see her brother who was just hanging on. I knew all about his condition including his recent bout with a severe seizure and hospitalization for pneumonia. I had seen photos of him on Facebook on his birthday and such so I knew about the clenched hands, vacant stare and extreme weight loss. When I saw…