Lisa Sabin-Wilson. Designer. Author. Espresso and WordPress addict

Special Date

on: Oct/16/04 and its been viewed 1,149 times

I agreed to put in a few hours for Hospice today. They had a new patient that they wanted me to do an intake on. So I spent 3 hours today at the home of G. - a man with lung cancer. He has an approximate 3 month prognosis, and is in extremely good manner about it. He’s a former POW from WWII and an active veteran with his local VFW. He wants to remain active in it as much as possible and for as long as possible.

After I was done answering his questions and then doing his physical assessment and going through his medications - - he looked at me and said, “I don’t care what happens between now and when I die - except for one thing. I am going to stay alive long enough to vote, dammit. If you think for one moment that I’m going to let John Kerry hijack our nation’s military, you’re nuts. I’m not going to let that happen without knowing that at least I voted for the right man, George W. Bush.”

I said, “G. - you’re going to vote on Nov. 2nd if I have to come down here and drive you to your local polling area, myself.”

He says, “Really? You’d do that? Because otherwise I’d have to take a cab”

So, on November 2nd, I have a date 30 miles away. I’ll cast my vote here, first - then head down to Milwaukee and help G. cast his. I think it’s the very least I can do for a former POW who is casting his very last vote in his life.

(PS - oh yea, and before my good friends from the left ask the obvious question, the answer is yes. Yes I would.)

Posted on: October 16, 2004 |

Posted in: Nursing

/*--- 25 Responses to “Special Date” ---*/

  1. John
    11:44 pm on October 16th, 2004

    You just won a hero medal (and probably the extra fancy harp in the other place).

  2. Lori
    12:09 am on October 17th, 2004

    Lisa, I actually have tears in my eyes from reading this. Call me a cheesy girly girl but I don’t care. We are losing so many of the WWII Vets daily. They were, are and will always be one of the greatest generations this country has ever seen. Hero award is right - you are great lady Lisa.

  3. Lisa
    12:34 am on October 17th, 2004

    John, Lori - it’s something I believe anyone would do, if given the chance. I see it as an honor and a really fortunate opportunity. I’m the lucky one in this scenario, I do believe.

    Thank you both :)

  4. Opinion Times
    12:54 am on October 17th, 2004

    Former POW’s Last Vote
    I agreed to put in a few hours for Hospice today. They had a new patient that they wanted me to do an intake on. So I spent 3 hours today at the home of G. - a man with lung cancer. He has an approximate 3 month prognosis, and is in extremely good ma…

  5. Stacy
    9:35 am on October 17th, 2004

    Lisa…that’s so awesome! :smile:

  6. Ali
    7:23 pm on October 17th, 2004

    You’ve got to vote EARLY, damn it!
    You’re killing me! I’m in tears here!
    God Bless him…
    ali

  7. Todd (Mr. LadyMac)
    7:24 pm on October 17th, 2004

    Lisa…what an exceptionally nice thing to do for G! Many thanks for bringing some joy to his final days.

  8. thanks for not caring
    8:30 pm on October 17th, 2004

    that’s just fucking great. i’m sure dubya and all the tobacco lobbyists would approve… i bet he really enjoyed the “free” smokes the u.s. sent him during the war…

  9. Lisa
    10:12 pm on October 17th, 2004

    Hey, “thanks for not caring” (if that is, indeed, your real name lol) - go find yourself something nice to do for someone this week - - you’ll feel better about yourself, really you will.

    It’s much better than leaving ignorant, random, anonymous comments that does nothing but show your ass.

  10. Lisa
    10:15 pm on October 17th, 2004

    Ali and Todd - thanks :) It is going to be a special day for him, he’s looking forward to it a great deal :)

  11. Lori
    12:13 am on October 18th, 2004

    Hey thanks for not caring, you are an ignorant shit. Where is your compassion for a man who is dying and also a man who helped to defend the world from the Nazis? What have YOU done with your life or the lives of others? So the man is voting for Bush, big whoopee deal - that’s no reason to act the way you are acting on this blog.

  12. Chasing the Wind
    8:01 am on October 18th, 2004

    Right Choice of Host
    Would GoDaddy do this?

    I think not. Not only does Lisa have the more personal touch I was looking for in a host, she also has a great heart. She works in hospice care and will driving 30 minutes to pick up a former POW that will probably be castin…

  13. RedFred
    9:14 am on October 18th, 2004

    Had to think long and hard to think of the obvious question (its “would you do it for a Democrat?” isn’t it?). Good for you, I’m sure your car has 4 seats, does G have any friends?

    ‘thanks for not caring’ your an ass.

  14. Uptown Girl
    9:31 am on October 18th, 2004

    you are so good, Lisa :)

  15. K
    11:00 am on October 18th, 2004

    God, I have tears in my eyes - that’s so awesome.

    I now feel almost bad mentioning something so trivial as a Packer win.

  16. Uptown Girl
    11:08 am on October 18th, 2004

    I have to admit this didn’t bring tears to my eyes, but rather a smile to my face because knowing Lisa I wouldn’t expect anything less ;)

  17. Lisa
    12:03 pm on October 18th, 2004

    Hey, K - - don’t be foolish! There is NOTHING trivial about a Packer win!! :D

  18. Lisa
    12:04 pm on October 18th, 2004

    UG - aww, knock it off. You’re gonna ruin my reputation as a real bad ass. :evil:

  19. Claire
    2:08 pm on October 18th, 2004

    Wow! My sister told me about your blog. I am especially bowled over by your kindness and generosity towards this man. You’ve inspired me to keep my mind and heart open for opportunities to help others. What you are doing for this vet is what my husband and I are trying to instill in our son. Thank you!

  20. Dana
    8:04 pm on October 18th, 2004

    Lisa, when you next see G, please tell him that a family in eastern Washington sends him their gratitude.

  21. Jib
    1:26 am on October 19th, 2004

    Lisa, when I go to my own polling place here in Southern Wisconsin, I’ll be thinking of you and G. Very touching story, and very caring of you to help G cast his vote.

  22. Just A Girl » I approve this message
    1:15 pm on November 2nd, 2004

    [...] oloring. If you haven’t voted yet - - get out there and do it! On a final note, my special date died on Saturday. I didn’t hear about it unt [...]

  23. michael
    7:58 am on November 11th, 2004

    hello my name is michael and i am 16 years old

  24. michael
    8:00 am on November 11th, 2004

    hello

  25. K
    4:15 pm on November 11th, 2004

    that’s great michael, what’s the point?

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  • Li-sa Sa-bin Wil-son: [lee-suh sey-bin will-sun] - pronoun; 1. A wife, mother & friend; 2. Blog Designer & WebHost; 3. Author of WordPress For Dummies; 4. Scuba diver; 5. Downhill Skier; 6. Am. Photographer; 7. Espresso sipper;
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