Expressions

Creative Works from the Members of HPNA

MY MY MY MY FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE MARTIANMARTIANMARTIANMARTIAN

NANO,NANO AS MARTIAN’S USED TO SAY. NANO,NANO AS MARTIAN’S USED TO SAY. NANO,NANO AS MARTIAN’S USED TO SAY. NANO,NANO AS MARTIAN’S USED TO SAY.

GREETINGS TO ALL WHO CAME TO VISIT, AND WELCOME THEM GGREETINGS TO ALL WHO CAME TO VISIT, AND WELCOME THEM GGREETINGS TO ALL WHO CAME TO VISIT, AND WELCOME THEM GGREETINGS TO ALL WHO CAME TO VISIT, AND WELCOME THEM GARYARYARYARY DID. DID. DID. DID.

HE AND JHE AND JHE AND JHE AND JACKIEACKIEACKIEACKIE WOULD ALWAYS MAKE THEIR COMPANY FEEL RIGHT AT WOULD ALWAYS MAKE THEIR COMPANY FEEL RIGHT AT WOULD ALWAYS MAKE THEIR COMPANY FEEL RIGHT AT WOULD ALWAYS MAKE THEIR COMPANY FEEL RIGHT AT

HOME. WHAT A WARM AND INVITING HOME IT WAS TOO.HOME. WHAT A WARM AND INVITING HOME IT WAS TOO.HOME. WHAT A WARM AND INVITING HOME IT WAS TOO.HOME. WHAT A WARM AND INVITING HOME IT WAS TOO.

WHAT CAN I SWHAT CAN I SWHAT CAN I SWHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT AY ABOUT AY ABOUT AY ABOUT THIS MAN EXCEPT HE WAS AWESOME!THIS MAN EXCEPT HE WAS AWESOME!THIS MAN EXCEPT HE WAS AWESOME!THIS MAN EXCEPT HE WAS AWESOME! THIS IS A THIS IS A THIS IS A THIS IS A

MAN MAN MAN MAN WITH A TERMANIL ILLNESS WITH A TERMANIL ILLNESS WITH A TERMANIL ILLNESS WITH A TERMANIL ILLNESS WHO LIVED EVERDAY WHO LIVED EVERDAY WHO LIVED EVERDAY WHO LIVED EVERDAY ‘FOCUSED’ JUST‘FOCUSED’ JUST‘FOCUSED’ JUST‘FOCUSED’ JUST ON ON ON ON

THAT DAY. TOMORROW WAS ANOTHER THAT DAY. TOMORROW WAS ANOTHER THAT DAY. TOMORROW WAS ANOTHER THAT DAY. TOMORROW WAS ANOTHER CHAPTERCHAPTERCHAPTERCHAPTER....

HE WAS MATICULOUS ABOUT HIS CARE AS WELL. DO YOU KNOW HE MADE A HE WAS MATICULOUS ABOUT HIS CARE AS WELL. DO YOU KNOW HE MADE A HE WAS MATICULOUS ABOUT HIS CARE AS WELL. DO YOU KNOW HE MADE A HE WAS MATICULOUS ABOUT HIS CARE AS WELL. DO YOU KNOW HE MADE A

COMPUTER PRINT OUT OF EXACTLY WHAT HE TOOK ANDCOMPUTER PRINT OUT OF EXACTLY WHAT HE TOOK ANDCOMPUTER PRINT OUT OF EXACTLY WHAT HE TOOK ANDCOMPUTER PRINT OUT OF EXACTLY WHAT HE TOOK AND WHAT TIME IT WHAT TIME IT WHAT TIME IT WHAT TIME IT

WAS TO BE TAKEN. AND WHEN HIS MEMORY WASN’WAS TO BE TAKEN. AND WHEN HIS MEMORY WASN’WAS TO BE TAKEN. AND WHEN HIS MEMORY WASN’WAS TO BE TAKEN. AND WHEN HIS MEMORY WASN’T AS GOOD… HE BT AS GOOD… HE BT AS GOOD… HE BT AS GOOD… HE BOUGHT OUGHT OUGHT OUGHT

A DIGITAL PILL ORGANIZER THAT VERBALLY PROMPTED HIM TO TAKE HIS A DIGITAL PILL ORGANIZER THAT VERBALLY PROMPTED HIM TO TAKE HIS A DIGITAL PILL ORGANIZER THAT VERBALLY PROMPTED HIM TO TAKE HIS A DIGITAL PILL ORGANIZER THAT VERBALLY PROMPTED HIM TO TAKE HIS

PILLS ON TIME.PILLS ON TIME.PILLS ON TIME.PILLS ON TIME.

HE WAS THE PERFECT CLIENT FOR JACHO EXCEPT FOR THAT NASTY HE WAS THE PERFECT CLIENT FOR JACHO EXCEPT FOR THAT NASTY HE WAS THE PERFECT CLIENT FOR JACHO EXCEPT FOR THAT NASTY HE WAS THE PERFECT CLIENT FOR JACHO EXCEPT FOR THAT NASTY

CIGERRTTE HABIT. BUT EVEN THAT HE MANAGED CIGERRTTE HABIT. BUT EVEN THAT HE MANAGED CIGERRTTE HABIT. BUT EVEN THAT HE MANAGED CIGERRTTE HABIT. BUT EVEN THAT HE MANAGED TO COMPLY WITH AFTER TO COMPLY WITH AFTER TO COMPLY WITH AFTER TO COMPLY WITH AFTER

CONTINUED EDUCATION.CONTINUED EDUCATION.CONTINUED EDUCATION.CONTINUED EDUCATION.

I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT ““““THE MOTHE MOTHE MOTHE MOMENTMENTMENTMENT” FROM G” FROM G” FROM G” FROM GARYARYARYARY........ …………LIKELIKELIKELIKE THE BREATH THE BREATH THE BREATH THE BREATH

TAKING SEEN OF WATCHING AT LEAST 30 HUMMINGBIRDS AT ONE TIME TAKING SEEN OF WATCHING AT LEAST 30 HUMMINGBIRDS AT ONE TIME TAKING SEEN OF WATCHING AT LEAST 30 HUMMINGBIRDS AT ONE TIME TAKING SEEN OF WATCHING AT LEAST 30 HUMMINGBIRDS AT ONE TIME

FIGHTING FOR THE SYRUP THAT GUY DILEGENTLY MADE EVERFIGHTING FOR THE SYRUP THAT GUY DILEGENTLY MADE EVERFIGHTING FOR THE SYRUP THAT GUY DILEGENTLY MADE EVERFIGHTING FOR THE SYRUP THAT GUY DILEGENTLY MADE EVERYYYY WEEK TO WEEK TO WEEK TO WEEK TO

PUT INTO THE 4 FEEDERS HANGPUT INTO THE 4 FEEDERS HANGPUT INTO THE 4 FEEDERS HANGPUT INTO THE 4 FEEDERS HANGING OUTSIDE HIS WINDOW. WHATING OUTSIDE HIS WINDOW. WHATING OUTSIDE HIS WINDOW. WHATING OUTSIDE HIS WINDOW. WHAT A A A A

MAGNIFICENT SITMAGNIFICENT SITMAGNIFICENT SITMAGNIFICENT SITE TO SEE HUMMINGBIRDS BACKED UP IN LINE WAITINGE TO SEE HUMMINGBIRDS BACKED UP IN LINE WAITINGE TO SEE HUMMINGBIRDS BACKED UP IN LINE WAITINGE TO SEE HUMMINGBIRDS BACKED UP IN LINE WAITING

FOR THAT OPEN SPOT!FOR THAT OPEN SPOT!FOR THAT OPEN SPOT!FOR THAT OPEN SPOT!

SO, SO, SO, SO, WHY DID WHY DID WHY DID WHY DID GUY THGUY THGUY THGUY THINKINKINKINK OF OF OF OF HIMSELF AHIMSELF AHIMSELF AHIMSELF AS A MARTIANS A MARTIANS A MARTIANS A MARTIAN???????? BECAUSE HE HAD BECAUSE HE HAD BECAUSE HE HAD BECAUSE HE HAD

DEFIEDDEFIEDDEFIEDDEFIED THE ODDS THE ODDS THE ODDS THE ODDS OF A CHILDHOOD ILLNESSOF A CHILDHOOD ILLNESSOF A CHILDHOOD ILLNESSOF A CHILDHOOD ILLNESS AND THEN AGAIN IN ADULT AND THEN AGAIN IN ADULT AND THEN AGAIN IN ADULT AND THEN AGAIN IN ADULT

HOOD WHEN HE HAHOOD WHEN HE HAHOOD WHEN HE HAHOOD WHEN HE HAD HIS RIGHT D HIS RIGHT D HIS RIGHT D HIS RIGHT CANCEROUS CANCEROUS CANCEROUS CANCEROUS LUNG REMOVED AND THEN LUNG REMOVED AND THEN LUNG REMOVED AND THEN LUNG REMOVED AND THEN

CAUGHT PNEUMONIA. NO ONE THCAUGHT PNEUMONIA. NO ONE THCAUGHT PNEUMONIA. NO ONE THCAUGHT PNEUMONIA. NO ONE THOUGHT HE WOULD SURVIVE…BUT HIM! OUGHT HE WOULD SURVIVE…BUT HIM! OUGHT HE WOULD SURVIVE…BUT HIM! OUGHT HE WOULD SURVIVE…BUT HIM!

AND HE DID AND THE FUNNY THING WAS HIS PULMONOLOGIST AND HE DID AND THE FUNNY THING WAS HIS PULMONOLOGIST AND HE DID AND THE FUNNY THING WAS HIS PULMONOLOGIST AND HE DID AND THE FUNNY THING WAS HIS PULMONOLOGIST SURVIVED SURVIVED SURVIVED SURVIVED

ILLNESS ILLNESS ILLNESS ILLNESS AS AS AS AS WELL. WELL. WELL. WELL. THEY CALLED THEMSELVES MARTIANS AND EACH TIME THEY CALLED THEMSELVES MARTIANS AND EACH TIME THEY CALLED THEMSELVES MARTIANS AND EACH TIME THEY CALLED THEMSELVES MARTIANS AND EACH TIME

THEY MET THEY WOULD SAY “NANTHEY MET THEY WOULD SAY “NANTHEY MET THEY WOULD SAY “NANTHEY MET THEY WOULD SAY “NANO….NANO” “MORK AND MINDY STYLE IF O….NANO” “MORK AND MINDY STYLE IF O….NANO” “MORK AND MINDY STYLE IF O….NANO” “MORK AND MINDY STYLE IF

YOU CAN REMEMEBER THAT FAR BACK.YOU CAN REMEMEBER THAT FAR BACK.YOU CAN REMEMEBER THAT FAR BACK.YOU CAN REMEMEBER THAT FAR BACK.

SO, BE IT FITSO, BE IT FITSO, BE IT FITSO, BE IT FITTING THAT THIS GENEROUS, CARINGTING THAT THIS GENEROUS, CARINGTING THAT THIS GENEROUS, CARINGTING THAT THIS GENEROUS, CARING,,,, LOVING, AND LOVING, AND LOVING, AND LOVING, AND

METICULOUS GMETICULOUS GMETICULOUS GMETICULOUS GARYARYARYARY IS MY FAVORITE MARTIN.IS MY FAVORITE MARTIN.IS MY FAVORITE MARTIN.IS MY FAVORITE MARTIN.

REST IN PEACE GREST IN PEACE GREST IN PEACE GREST IN PEACE GARYARYARYARY………………………………………………………………

D Handy RND Handy RND Handy RND Handy RN

The Love Tree

Sherry always talked about her garden,

Her little “Oasis” she called it…

Well, one day on one of my nursing visits when she

Was resting quietly, almost non-responsive

I stepped outside to view her backyard

There I saw beauty as only seen through her eyes.

A quiet sitting area stirred my attention

Until I saw the Grapefruit Tree

With it’s beautiful melons ripe for the taking

I asked Kenny if I could have one

He said absolutely, take as many as you like…

He then commenced to tell me a story about that particular tree…

He said, that he bought that Golden Beauty Grapefruit for his wife, Sherry

When they got married

And that this tree was her welcome gift to his home, her new home

Well, needless to say I felt the love immediately in that tree

With it’s beautiful fruit.

So, a few weeks later after what seemed to be a never

Ending dying process,

(that Sherry she was a fighter, alright)

I asked myself what else has not been done to help her

Through this End of Life Process: who hasn’t said Goodbye or I’ll be ok without you?

And then… I remembered the Grapefruit in my refrigerator!!

That night I sliced and diced that grapefruit and had my two sons’ join me in toasting to

Sherry and Kenny, and the Grapefruit Tree of Love.

She died peacefully 4 hours later.

It was The Tree of Love she wanted me to experience.

And I did whole heartedly…………………..

Rest in Peace Sherry

D Handy RN

THE GLASS IS HALF FULLTHE GLASS IS HALF FULLTHE GLASS IS HALF FULLTHE GLASS IS HALF FULL When I was in the early part of my marriage my husband used to get frustrated with me, because When I was in the early part of my marriage my husband used to get frustrated with me, because When I was in the early part of my marriage my husband used to get frustrated with me, because When I was in the early part of my marriage my husband used to get frustrated with me, because

of my of my of my of my pessimismpessimismpessimismpessimism. He would say instead of looking at the glass as half empty, make an effort to . He would say instead of looking at the glass as half empty, make an effort to . He would say instead of looking at the glass as half empty, make an effort to . He would say instead of looking at the glass as half empty, make an effort to

look at the glass as half full. look at the glass as half full. look at the glass as half full. look at the glass as half full.

One day,One day,One day,One day, on one of my 1on one of my 1on one of my 1on one of my 1stststst nursing visits to meet my new patient I realized she would not be with nursing visits to meet my new patient I realized she would not be with nursing visits to meet my new patient I realized she would not be with nursing visits to meet my new patient I realized she would not be with

us too very long and called her son to notify him. He was saddened by this fact and he told me us too very long and called her son to notify him. He was saddened by this fact and he told me us too very long and called her son to notify him. He was saddened by this fact and he told me us too very long and called her son to notify him. He was saddened by this fact and he told me the last time he saw his mother she was angry that he did not bring herthe last time he saw his mother she was angry that he did not bring herthe last time he saw his mother she was angry that he did not bring herthe last time he saw his mother she was angry that he did not bring her a candy bar and soda. He a candy bar and soda. He a candy bar and soda. He a candy bar and soda. He

asked me if it would be alright if he brought her one now. I said of course it would be fine.asked me if it would be alright if he brought her one now. I said of course it would be fine.asked me if it would be alright if he brought her one now. I said of course it would be fine.asked me if it would be alright if he brought her one now. I said of course it would be fine.

He then began to tell me of his He then began to tell me of his He then began to tell me of his He then began to tell me of his hardshipshardshipshardshipshardships this past year or this past year or this past year or this past year or so, whichso, whichso, whichso, which he and his wife had their he and his wife had their he and his wife had their he and his wife had their

own own own own mortgagemortgagemortgagemortgage and escrow company that witand escrow company that witand escrow company that witand escrow company that with the market turndown they have now lost. He also h the market turndown they have now lost. He also h the market turndown they have now lost. He also h the market turndown they have now lost. He also

explained that he was in the explained that he was in the explained that he was in the explained that he was in the processprocessprocessprocess of losing their home as well. Charles of losing their home as well. Charles of losing their home as well. Charles of losing their home as well. Charles toldtoldtoldtold me that when me that when me that when me that when

things were going wellthings were going wellthings were going wellthings were going well, , , , he brought his mother out from he brought his mother out from he brought his mother out from he brought his mother out from TennesseeTennesseeTennesseeTennessee to live with him. He said as to live with him. He said as to live with him. He said as to live with him. He said as

things started to things started to things started to things started to get worse for him so did his mothers health. He said she used to blame herself get worse for him so did his mothers health. He said she used to blame herself get worse for him so did his mothers health. He said she used to blame herself get worse for him so did his mothers health. He said she used to blame herself

for his misfortunes. As the sadness came over his voice I asked him, “ Charles I bet you had for his misfortunes. As the sadness came over his voice I asked him, “ Charles I bet you had for his misfortunes. As the sadness came over his voice I asked him, “ Charles I bet you had for his misfortunes. As the sadness came over his voice I asked him, “ Charles I bet you had

some good times with your mom back then,some good times with your mom back then,some good times with your mom back then,some good times with your mom back then, huh?”huh?”huh?”huh?”

His voice sparked up and he said “ohHis voice sparked up and he said “ohHis voice sparked up and he said “ohHis voice sparked up and he said “oh yes, one thing my mother always used to talk about was the yes, one thing my mother always used to talk about was the yes, one thing my mother always used to talk about was the yes, one thing my mother always used to talk about was the

time I took her for a ride on the back of my Harley. We went from Chino Hills to Carlsbad and time I took her for a ride on the back of my Harley. We went from Chino Hills to Carlsbad and time I took her for a ride on the back of my Harley. We went from Chino Hills to Carlsbad and time I took her for a ride on the back of my Harley. We went from Chino Hills to Carlsbad and

then all the way up the coastline to Malibu. She just loved the ride, one of the high points in her then all the way up the coastline to Malibu. She just loved the ride, one of the high points in her then all the way up the coastline to Malibu. She just loved the ride, one of the high points in her then all the way up the coastline to Malibu. She just loved the ride, one of the high points in her

lilililife she said.” I told him what a beautiful memory that was and how it brought fe she said.” I told him what a beautiful memory that was and how it brought fe she said.” I told him what a beautiful memory that was and how it brought fe she said.” I told him what a beautiful memory that was and how it brought goose bumpsgoose bumpsgoose bumpsgoose bumps to my to my to my to my

arms it was so touching.arms it was so touching.arms it was so touching.arms it was so touching.

So, the next day on my visit to see his dying motherSo, the next day on my visit to see his dying motherSo, the next day on my visit to see his dying motherSo, the next day on my visit to see his dying mother,,,, I noticed how close she was to death. I also I noticed how close she was to death. I also I noticed how close she was to death. I also I noticed how close she was to death. I also

noticed that there was no candy bar or soda at her bedside. So, I sat down at her side and began noticed that there was no candy bar or soda at her bedside. So, I sat down at her side and began noticed that there was no candy bar or soda at her bedside. So, I sat down at her side and began noticed that there was no candy bar or soda at her bedside. So, I sat down at her side and began

to tell her how I had spoken with Charles and that he was on his way with a candy bar and soda to tell her how I had spoken with Charles and that he was on his way with a candy bar and soda to tell her how I had spoken with Charles and that he was on his way with a candy bar and soda to tell her how I had spoken with Charles and that he was on his way with a candy bar and soda

for her. I could hfor her. I could hfor her. I could hfor her. I could here acknowledgement in her moan. And then I began to ere acknowledgement in her moan. And then I began to ere acknowledgement in her moan. And then I began to ere acknowledgement in her moan. And then I began to reenactreenactreenactreenact the story the story the story the story

Charles told of the Harley ride up the coast. She further acknowledged my words.Charles told of the Harley ride up the coast. She further acknowledged my words.Charles told of the Harley ride up the coast. She further acknowledged my words.Charles told of the Harley ride up the coast. She further acknowledged my words. And it seemed And it seemed And it seemed And it seemed

as though calmness came over her. She passed away peacefully half and hour later. as though calmness came over her. She passed away peacefully half and hour later. as though calmness came over her. She passed away peacefully half and hour later. as though calmness came over her. She passed away peacefully half and hour later.

In speIn speIn speIn speaking with her son later in the day, he told me how he was on the way there with that candy aking with her son later in the day, he told me how he was on the way there with that candy aking with her son later in the day, he told me how he was on the way there with that candy aking with her son later in the day, he told me how he was on the way there with that candy

bar and soda, he was just too late. So, I made sure I told him that I sat at his mother’s bedside bar and soda, he was just too late. So, I made sure I told him that I sat at his mother’s bedside bar and soda, he was just too late. So, I made sure I told him that I sat at his mother’s bedside bar and soda, he was just too late. So, I made sure I told him that I sat at his mother’s bedside

and told her that Charles was on his way with a candy bar and sodaand told her that Charles was on his way with a candy bar and sodaand told her that Charles was on his way with a candy bar and sodaand told her that Charles was on his way with a candy bar and soda, and how I reenacted the , and how I reenacted the , and how I reenacted the , and how I reenacted the

Harley ride up the coast. I could here his voice choke up as he thanked me. Harley ride up the coast. I could here his voice choke up as he thanked me. Harley ride up the coast. I could here his voice choke up as he thanked me. Harley ride up the coast. I could here his voice choke up as he thanked me.

As I got off the phone, sadness came over me and then I thought what my husband would be As I got off the phone, sadness came over me and then I thought what my husband would be As I got off the phone, sadness came over me and then I thought what my husband would be As I got off the phone, sadness came over me and then I thought what my husband would be

telling me right now. He would say “Dawn don’t think about the stelling me right now. He would say “Dawn don’t think about the stelling me right now. He would say “Dawn don’t think about the stelling me right now. He would say “Dawn don’t think about the sadness of the situation, think adness of the situation, think adness of the situation, think adness of the situation, think

about how richer your life is because of it.”about how richer your life is because of it.”about how richer your life is because of it.”about how richer your life is because of it.”

“Life is a journey“Life is a journey“Life is a journey“Life is a journey----don’t forget to enjoy the ride”don’t forget to enjoy the ride”don’t forget to enjoy the ride”don’t forget to enjoy the ride”---- In memory of Douglas HandyIn memory of Douglas HandyIn memory of Douglas HandyIn memory of Douglas Handy ----Nov. 17Nov. 17Nov. 17Nov. 17thththth 1959195919591959----

Feb 25Feb 25Feb 25Feb 25thththth 2003200320032003

D Handy RND Handy RND Handy RND Handy RN---- Nov. 17Nov. 17Nov. 17Nov. 17thththth 2009200920092009