By Joy Dillman, Lifeline Central Texas Volunteer
The little Lifeline pillow is a bit of fabric, sewn and stuffed by ones who do what they can to comfort those who are sick or suffering. The pillow is a small but mighty tool for Lifeline chaplains. Pillow stories abound among the chaplains. Here is one that happened to me just last week.
The old man lay motionless under multiple layers of hospital blankets. Peering at him from the door to his room, I wondered if he was even awake. Should I bother him? Would he even know I was there? Should I bring a pillow into the room? Would he know what it was? These were a few of the questions that flashed through my mind as I quickly said a prayer for guidance.
I turned to the nurse sitting at the console outside his room. “Is he responsive?” I asked. “Sometimes,” she answered with a shrug. I stepped into the dimly lit room until I could see that his eyes were open.
“Hello, Mr. Johnson. My name is Joy Dillman and I’m a volunteer chaplain with Lifeline Chaplaincy. I come to visit patients in this hospital. Would it be okay if I visited with you for a few minutes?”
There was no response from Mr. Johnson except the blinking of his eyes. He stared straight ahead, focused on nothing. His mouth drooped sadly. The grey stubble of his beard gave him an unkempt look. I did not know if he could hear me, see me, understand me, or even move. As I thought about what to say or do next, I felt the soft plush of the brightly colored pillow in my hands and said, “Mr. Johnson, I brought you a present.” I set the pillow on his chest and described it for him. “It’s a pillow, shaped like a pig. Here’s the snout and he has a button for an eye and a cute curly tail.”
I wondered what this elderly, distinguished-looking gentleman thought, being the recipient of a pig pillow. For a few moments there was no response from him – just his blank stare. Then the corners of his drooping mouth turned up and a beautiful smile lit up his face. He made no sound but the light that came to his eye and the relaxation of his features showed me that he felt a moment of comfort. Maybe inside he was even laughing.
I set the pillow beside the bed rail where he could see it and said a few words to encourage him in his struggles and prayed over him. I left the room with thoughts of thanksgiving for the dear folks who use their skills to make these precious pillows.
When words fail us, the pillows speak.
________________________________
Thanks to all the wonderful people who volunteer their time and talents to create pillows and other items that bless patients and their families through Lifeline’s Soft Touch ministry.