Both Dr. Rupe and I have the great privilege of walking through life with a dear friend, Donna. She has been there for both of us through joy and pain. This past month she shared a piece she wrote with Dr. Rupe in mind. I can honestly say she took the words right out of my heart. I weep every time I read these words because I have been on the receiving end of this sweet and honest, “I’m sorry. . .”
I pray that those who have experienced or will experience loss have the gift of a provider who feels your grief. If not, know that we do and we pray for you often (even if we don’t know your name). And most of all – the giver of life. . .the One who knows your name. . .knows your pain and He loves you.
Thank you Donna for so beautifully expressing something so many of us have walked through. You are a treasure.
“I’m sorry,” she said, as she bowed her head, then looked up into my eyes.
The words she said, caused my heart to dread and I began to cry.
Her credentials gave her authority, her practice showed success.
The office ran efficiently, with staff and partners who impressed.
Her coat of white or scrubs of green, were symbolic of how she’d trained.
Skilled and talented, a gift it seemed, for a practice of joy and pain.
“I’m sorry…” She used no fancy phrases to hide her own unease.
No empty words, no false assurances, her own pride to appease.
“I’m sorry…” No sweeter words, nor more with power when said with such humbled heart.
For I saw she knew, from her own past pain, how deeply my loss hurt.
“I’m sorry…” Shining eyes from tears unshed, with a tender touch to my hand.
She eased the sting of truth she shared, and comforted instead.
My hopes now crushed, my dreams now gone, she could have dashed away.
“I’m sorry,” she said, with a broken voice, then sat next to me and stayed.
So, when finally I left, new plans to be made I walked slowly down the hall.
Where pictures of life I’d never hold lined almost every wall.
But her door was cracked, the room was dark with just enough light to see.
There her Bible open, and tissue in hand; I heard faith filled words for me.
No way to fix my brokenness or change my heart deep feelings.
But in that moment, paused in time, her prayer began my healing.
dmh 6/2011
I have been on the receiving end of Dr. Rupe’s “I’m sorry” I have couldn’t agree more! The pain in her apology was real, deeply sincere and most of all made me feel as though somehow she knew my pain. I have thanked God many times for leading me into her practice, for guiding me to ask for her as my physician and all along never truly understanding why. As we went through our miscarriage almost a year ago and now have made it successfully into our 2nd trimester of our 3rd pregnancy I know that her heart is sincere for each of her patients. Their celebration and their grief is just as important to her. Her heart for the Lord is just as much of a qualification to me as her many years of education that got her to her title of “doctor”. I’m so thankful for the Lord’s direction in her life and his guidance into her office a year ago!