While looking for a full-time job after switching careers, I worked per diem in the Pastoral Care Department of a hospital that was designated a Level I Trauma Center. My duties were varied – praying with a patient right before their surgery, comforting a family waiting in the ER for their family member, rushing to any room that was involved in a Code, contacting family members for any patient who was brought in by MedEvac, or even sitting with anyone alone in the ER, looking scared and in pain. That last description was just about everyone.
One night, during a double weekend shift, I approached a group of medical personnel outside of an end room in the ER and asked if I could be of any help. As the attending physician finished signing some paperwork in the chart, one of the nurses asked me if I could notify the woman’s family or pastor that she had expired (hospital-speak for “died”). I took the record, knowing how challenging these in-the-middle-of-the-night phone calls could be.
As I paged through her chart for contact information, I saw that Esther was a widow in her 80s with no children. The name of a Rabbi was listed as her emergency contact, which meant that any siblings were probably gone as well.
She was alone. Totally alone.
I used the phone at the nurse’s station and reached her Rabbi, who said he would be at the hospital within 30 minutes. I went into her room and saw two aides silently cleaning up the evidence of the ER staff’s attempts to save her life – the crash cart, gloves, torn gauze wrappers and the like. As I looked down at the bed, I saw a petite woman with white hair and a delicately contoured face. She must have been quite a beauty when she was younger. Eyes closed, she looked to be at peace.
I watched as the aides straightened the sheet that covered Esther, carefully moving her arms so that they were comfortably placed at her sides. One of the young women stopped when she saw something on the inside of Esther’s forearm – some kind of ink. She reached for a near-by washcloth.
“Wait.” I stepped closer and saw the row of numbers tattooed on Esther’s forearm. “Do you know what this is, what it means?” I asked as I murmured a silent prayer. Both shook their head “no.” I quietly explained: “The numbers mean that Esther was a prisoner in one of the German concentration camps during World War II.”
They looked confused and I realized that maybe they were too young to be familiar with the Holocaust? Hard to believe, but possible. But now was not the time or place for a history lesson. “If you want, I can explain more after her Rabbi gets here. In the meantime, thank you. I’ll stay with Esther.”
As the door closed, I bowed my head. I was in the presence of someone who had faced evil and survived. Esther was one of the more than 400,000 prisoners at one of the 3 Auschwitz concentration camps who had been assigned a serial number for identification. Pictures of the emaciated prisoners when the camps were liberated flashed in my mind, and I wondered how many (if any) of Esther’s family members had been killed in the camps. What Esther had seen and experienced in her time there was beyond my comprehension.
My thoughts became prayers for Esther. This woman had survived the nearly 6 million people who were Jewish victims of the Holocaust. I cringed at the thought of the possibility that she couldn’t have children because of the experiments that had been performed on some of the female prisoners.
Had Esther ever lost hope? Had she ever given up? What helped her survive each day in a hell of mankind’s making? Did faith give her courage and strength and determination? I would never know.
The door opened and a nurse said I was needed in another room. I told her I would contact the chaplain-on-call, as I preferred to stay with Esther.
“Who’s coming to pick up the body?”
“Her Rabbi.”
“Okay, then come with me. No one will disturb her.”
I reached for my pager. “I’ll call the chaplain, and he’ll help you. I’m obligated to stay with Esther.”
The nurse, her face a cross between annoyed and confused, left.
When a Jewish person dies, out of respect, they are not to be left alone. By staying, I would offer Esther’s soul comfort until her Rabbi came. She had been alone enough. She had seen and experienced horrific death and destruction; perhaps now, I could offer her one small kindness.
I prayed Psalm 23 aloud.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
As I slowly covered Esther’s face, I smiled at its inherent dignity.
Thank you, Esther, for the essence that is you. I am deeply sorry for the tears you’ve shed during your life and for all the pain. May your death be a threshold to all that is good. In the “world-to-come,” may you have love, happiness, joy, community and kindness. No more darkness, only light. May you be wrapped in Circles of Grace. May God command His angels to guard you in all your ways.
I turned as the door opened. “Rabbi Levine?”
“Yes, and you must be Theresa?” We shook hands as I offered him my condolences.
“Thank you for staying,” the Rabbi offered quietly. “Esther has been alone for a long time.”
“No thanks are needed, Rabbi. It is a privilege and an honor.” I walked toward the door, my time here done. I took one last look at the bed. Rest in Peace.
Sacred Ground. Honoring the strength of the human spirit.
At the same time, remembering man’s inhumanity to man and pledging as an individual to never forget. To never allow history to repeat it. Ever. Esther – this I promise you.
“I am only one; but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;
I will not refuse to do something I can do.”― Helen Keller
Esther – May your soul shine with everlasting light.
_______________________________
Fabulous post! Eyes tearing up here as usual. Love, N 🙂 ❤
Blessings, Natalie…
One of the most moving posts I have read. You have touched my heart and so has Ester, I will never forget her and hope when my time comes I have the good fortune to meet her, I just want to give her a hug. You have made her life here meaningful. I hope she did have a family after her horrible ordeal. I am sure she was welcomed with the loving light of the Lord.
With gratitude and blessings…
Man still tries to make us a number…and they are still lost on that journey.
Esther had found herself…and now continues her journey.
Beautiful post Theresa, thank you for sharing.
You’re most welcome, Mark. Namaste.
Such a touching post. You have such a kind heart. xx
It is easy to be kind to those who have given so much of themselves…
So moved, Theresa, and so happy that Esther is at last safe and at peace. Bless you for seeing her lovingly into that place…
My thanks, Lori…
Beautiful. Thank you for this lovely story; a wonderful start to this day. Humbled and open.
Blessings to you on this day.
Theresa, this is a most touching story and a lovely way to honor a brave and noble lady. I was a teenager during WW11 and remember well the discoveries of the camps. I’m reblogging because as many people as possible should read this. Thank you.
My thanks, Professor.
Reblogged this on The English Professor at Large and commented:
A touch tribute to a lovely lady.
Thank you for the re-blog.
You are so welcome.
With so much information on The Holocaust, it is incredible the staff did not know what the numbers meant. You are a wonderful person for doing the right thing. Hard to explain why it matters, but it does.
Thank you so very much, Barb.
Inspiring.
I knew a woman who was one of 2 in her family and extended family who survived. She had hundreds of family members. And yet there are people who want to say that the Holocaust never happened.
I will never understand those people who claim it never happened. As you say, I, too, knew of survivors of the camps. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Beautiful. A wonderful tribute to an intrepid soul. Blessings to all.
With Love,
Stargazer
Blessings…
This was a very, very, touching post. Theresa you are an incredibly gifted heart and it’s a pleasure to be linked to you via your blog. The funny thing is your blog often moves me like none other I am following and after reading this post it’s so clear. Your humanity and ability to connect is rare indeed.
God bless and keep you always.
Your words humble me. With gratitude and blessings…
😀
Beautifully told, Theresa. You are clearly more than ‘only one.’ Blessings!
Blessings to you, Eliza.
I am visiting via The English Professor at Large.
This post made me cry. Big tears I could not stop and still won’t stop.
I cry for you … the empathy, sensitivity, kindness you gave a woman you didn’t know but recognized her journey.
I cry for Esther … the horror she survived and the loneliness of her quiet end.
… but I also cry for those who didn’t recognize the meaning of the numbers and the unspeakable it represents. This war was a distant past and no longer part of the current experience. The world is forgetting … and it makes me very sad.
We must never forget. Your heart is big and I send blessings to dry your tears.
{hugs}
The world cannot and must not forget lest history repeat itself…thank you so much for your kindness, compassion, and for sharing Esther’s story. Woof!
It was my privilege.
Theresa, you post makes my heart warm and bowing to you for all your compassion you give to other’s. I have been in Israel a few times and many times I have seen so many older people with numbers on their arms, it made my heart shiver, being German my body would just go into a coma of guilt, although I am an after war generation born early 50….Thank you for sharing
Your soul shines light. Blessings…
So very moving and your time with Esther was clearly very precious, for both of you, I’m sure her spirit knew.
My thanks…
This was heart touching..and it makes me sad to know that she was alone.
I believe angels were at her side, even when alive.
I would like to believe that too. Thank you.
Thank you for this, it is beautiful and a blessing.
My privilege…
This is a beautiful and moving post. Thank you for sharing this lovely lady with us.
My privilege…
Thank you for your witnessing presence.
My privilege…
Theresa, you fid something amazing which you may be repaid fir your knowing the tradition of a Jewish person not to be left alone, you may have someone by your side in your own time of need. I was surprised you were not written up as many hospitals would consider your not following orders a disrespectful action. I think doing the right thing was good and we all learned from your sharing what risk you took. The woman deserved someone to sit with her. I am one who also teared up while reading this. Happy New Year, dear! ♡
Thank you for your kind words. Happy New Year!
You’ve blogged about an important topic, Theresa. The horrible crimes against humanity in WWII should never be forgotten, and so shouldn’t Esther and all the other victims.
A Happy New Year to you.
I agree. New Year Blessings…