The Songbird's Melody

Nancy sighed a sad and deep sigh as she looked around the beige room. Another day trapped here, she thought, almost in tune with the beeping of hospital machines. Treatments, doctors, and tests were part of her daily routine. Scans, blood cell counts, and biopsies were second nature to her - but that didn’t mean she cared for it. She went from being on top of the world to feeling low and defeated daily. How could anyone expect her to feel okay when her life felt like being a cartoon character stuck in quicksand - always getting in deeper no matter how badly she wanted to get out.

Dr. Carol walked in while making her morning rounds. “Hi, Nancy,” she said with a tilt of her head. Nancy had been here for months, and Dr. Carol looked the same every single day; her short and curly caramel colored hair, light blue eye-shadow, and gold cross necklace were basically a staple in Nancy’s life. When she saw these things, she knew her favorite attending physician was nearby. Dr. Carol sat on the corner of Nancy’s bed. She clutched her clipboard before saying, “It’s a beautiful spring day, you know. Maybe you could benefit from a walk outside.” Nancy sighed and avoided eye contact. She didn’t want to be rude, but she knew time outside wouldn’t change her circumstances. “What will be different if I go outside?,” she muttered hopelessly. “Maybe your perspective,” Dr. Carol said, before turning to leave. She sighed and reluctantly added, “We can talk about some options when you’re ready.” Knowing Nancy would ignore this comment, Dr. Carol left the room.

Nancy turned on the tiny hospital television. She flipped through the same basic cable channels that she watched every day as she wished she was anywhere else in the world. Syndicated game show? No thanks, I already know what’s behind door number two. Eighties sitcom rerun? I hear that laugh track in my sleep. Cooking show? Why would I want to watch that when I eat hospital food every day? Nancy turned the television off and looked out the dirty old window. She would never admit to thinking this, but maybe Dr. Carol was right. Maybe a change of scenery would be good for her. The sunlight on her face would probably feel better than wallowing in sadness all day while laying in a hospital bed. Nancy got up and made her way to the elevator. She waited as it dinged and hoped it would arrive before she changed her mind and bolted back to her room. Finally, she heard a ding and the doors opened up. Nancy got in the elevator and firmly pressed the button. She exited the elevator and passed the gift shop. She watched the automatic door slowly open to the outside brick corridor. Nancy hasn't been outside in a long time and maybe changing that would finally do her some good.

 She walked outside and took a deep breath. The fresh air filled her lungs and the warm sunlight touched her face. She took it all in as she heard the quiet rustling of the leaves and buds in the wind. The flowers on the trees were blooming again and the birds have returned from their southern migration. There was a slight breeze in the air and not a cloud in sight. Nancy walked down the brick pathway and sat on a bench inscribed with someone's name. She soon heard the sweet melody of a songbird. The soft warbling put her in a trance - it sounded like something out of a fairytale or dream sequence. It was, without a doubt, better than listening to the machines beep all day. “Do you hear that bird singing?,” a stranger asked. Nancy nodded as to not interrupt the songbird. A moment went by before the stranger quietly said, “I saved her.”

 This statement took Nancy out of her peaceful trance. “What do you mean by that?,” she asked. The stranger smiled as she turned toward Nancy, and the grin on her face let Nancy know that she had been waiting to share this story. The stranger, who Nancy soon learned was named Anna, leaned toward Nancy as she began to speak. “She landed here one day with a broken wing. I was a veterinarian for 35 years before being stuck…here” Anna shared as she motioned her head toward the building. There was a slight pause before Anna continued. “It wasn’t easy, you know. She wasn’t trusting of me at first. But it was worth it. She’s good as gold now,” Anna said with a soft smile. Nancy listened to the melody of the bird for a moment while she thought about Anna's story. “You mean…we wouldn’t be listening to this beautiful song if you didn’t keep trying to help her?,” Nancy finally said. Anna let out a soft laugh and responded, “Not just me, dear. The bird had to fight, too.” No longer strangers, Nancy and Anna shared a warm smile as they sat in the sunlight, listening to the melody of the beautiful and healed bird.

 After soaking up the beauty of the day, Nancy finally got up to return inside. She felt as renewed as the Earth around her. Hope was blooming inside of her like the magnolia flowers on the tree. Anna’s words resonated deeply in her mind. But it was worth it. She's as good as gold now. The bird had to fight, too. That bird was once injured and now she sings a song so beautiful that it can stop someone in their tracks. Nancy got back to her wing, just in time to see Dr. Carol outside of her room. “Hey Doc!,” Nancy playfully called toward the kind and patient woman who had tried to help her for months. “How about tomorrow, we finally talk about those options.” Both women softly smiled in agreement and parted ways. This bird was going to fight too. And it would be worth it.