Ever have a conversation with a person’s eyes?

Where there is no need for words because of your strong ties?

Beth has been in the hospital for days on end,

She is prodded and poked; always thinking she is on the mend.

She tries to smile and stay positive, as hard as it may be,

She has a lot to live for, as anyone can see.

As a chaplain, I visit with Beth from the very start,

I speak with her, pray with her and get to know her heart.

Then, one day, a breathing tube is inserted; she can not speak, things have taken a bit of a turn,

All of the family and doctors are hopeful, but expressing their concern.

As I knock and enter the room the next day, I see Beth—just staring straight ahead at the TV,

She turns her head in my direction and tries to force a smile at me.

I hold Beth’s hand in mine and touch her face,

Beth knows she has deteriorated; she just wants to get out of this place.

I just stare at her and Beth stares at me,

And that is when the feelings in her heart I can totally see.

Ever have a conversation with a person’s eyes?

Where there is no need for words because of your strong ties?

Through her eyes she tells me how petrified and alone she feels,

She is tired of fighting, her energy depleted, she just wants to heal.

She is angry, very frustrated and feeling pretty mad,

She is confused, struggling to keep her faith and trying desperately hard not to get sad.

For a solid minute our eyes are locked, the gaze so strong; we look intently at each other,

Just like the bond between a newborn and its mother.

I can read her heart, I can hear her words, even though not one audible word has been said.

And then the tears slowly drip down her face,

Because Beth knows her eyes I have read.

No matter what you do or who you are,

You can connect with your eyes and heart;

Sometimes the words are not needed,

Your mere presence is the start.

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Sometimes few words or no words are needed to show another that you care.

Beth passed away a couple of days after this encounter. May her extremely special soul continue to ascend to God’s heavenly throne.

Debby Pfeiffer is a board-certified chaplain working at Morristown Medical Center through its affiliation with the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ. She resides in Bergenfield, NJ, with her husband and five children. She can be reached at [email protected].