Tuesdays with Vinnie

Sam, Stephanie and I were a bit out of sorts this morning.

Sam had a difficult time waking up fully and I think he would’ve opted to go back to bed after breakfast had the choice been his. Stephanie had a restless night and we both rolled, not jumped, out of bed feeling every one of our ‘boomer’ aches and pains. I also woke up discombobulated… Where was I? What day was it? Was I dreaming about wild animals or was I really back in Africa? Did I have to go to work or could I play?

Getting a three-day weekend is not without its hazards.

Then, Vinnie arrived and I knew it was Tuesday, that I was at Emanuel Children’s Hospital, and there were likely no actual wild animals in the vicinity (except, maybe, that one nurse…).

Vinnie enthusiastically shook Stephanie’s hand when introduced and even showed us his fancy footwork. Too bad Sam was already off to speech therapy and missed, once again, making Vinnie’s acquaintance. I think they’ll become fast friends when they eventually meet.

Vinnie can’t drive, so his best friend Harriet brings him every Tuesday to Emanuel to visit the dozens of children in the pediatric and school-aged inpatient programs. He doesn’t’ care about their diagnoses or their prognoses; he’s quite content to leave that to the fabulous doctors, nurses, techs and social workers. His job is to touch the heart and that he does. Ten fold.

Vinnie always looks so well put together with his security badge and ID, tailored lab coat, and perfectly styled hair. And, although he’s a volunteer, you can tell he’s a professional and that he takes his job seriously. Harriet was telling us that Vinnie also visits four eldercare homes each week to spread cheer to the aging.

Harriet said she’s going on 80 years and bringing Vinnie to his weekly rounds keeps her young. So, not only do the kids, the elders, the families and the professionals receive the benefits of Vinnie’s special medicine, so does Harriet.

Vinnie and Harriet have been inseparable for Vinnie’s entire life; all 5 years of it. Vinnie is diminutive in stature but not in oomph. Although I generally resist describing people by their physical and genetic characteristics, it’s probably helpful for you to know that Vinnie is an angel in a dog’s body. He’s a mix of small breed dogs but I’ve forgotten what Harriet told us.

Suffice it to say that Vinnie made both Stephanie and I forget our aches, pains and fatigue this morning. We stroked his soft fur and laughed when he performed for treats. It was a great way to start this short week.

If it’s Vinnie, it must be Tuesday.

-- Aunt Dart (Karylinn)