Season One, Episodes 5 and 6
Sister Julienne took a deep breath as she walked into her office. It had been a long couple of weeks. Sitting down at her desk she pondered the goings on of the last several days. Everything was a jumble and she was not sure where to begin to sort through the thoughts running through her mind. She saw the familiar well worn cover of her journal at the corner of her desk and knew what she needed to do.
This is a house of heavy hearts as we mourn the passing of two beloved members of our community, our dear cleaning lady Peggy and her brother Frank. Frank's cancer came on so suddenly and both were determined to keep the serious nature of the illness from each other while at the same time fighting as hard as they could to keep going. Then when accompanying Nurse Lee to meet the gentlemen from the funeral home the day after Frank's passing and finding that Peggy had joined her brother during the night made things all the more difficult.
At the shock of finding them lying there I felt my carefully maintained of professionalism slip and Nurse Lee was right there to offer comfort and be the strong one for just a moment. I do wish she would talk to me as I know she blames herself for Peggy's death, having forgotten to pack up Frank's medications before leaving the night he passed. I am thinking however that Peggy would have just found another way. She just couldn't bare to be left behind. There is also something else bothering young Nurse Lee but I can't figure out quite what it is.
And then there is Fred. Our resident handyman and jack of all trades is at it again. This time he has brought home a pig. His plan was to use it to bring home the bacon so to speak, until Sister Bernadette confirmed the news that the pig is pregnant. Fred really does have a soft spot so now we have the whole piggy family in the back garden.
Nurse Browne and Constable Noakes are doing quite well in their blossoming relationship. Although, dinner with the constable's parents was put on hold for the birth of the piglets after they both ended up lending a hand. If that doesn't show commitment I am not sure what does. Although things were almost torn apart due to the antics of Nurse Browne's Mother during her visit. I had to really hold my tongue so that I didn't give her a piece of my mind. Things came around though and the two of them had a beautiful wedding. I am glad that the newly christened Nurse Noakes is going to continue to work with us for the foreseeable future.
We thought we were going to lose Sister Monica Joan a short while ago as she wandered off in the middle of the night and ended up with a serious bout of pneumonia. Thankfully after a course of penicillin she was able to beat the infection. However shortly after her recovery it was discovered that she has been acquiring small things from the market during her walks through Poplar. I am torn as to believe that she may not even realize she is doing it. We love her dearly and are honored to care for her, a walking history of the work we do. We just need to get more creative in finding ways to keep her out of mischief and feeling useful. Thankfully Nurse Lee's young friend Jimmy and his car were immensely helpful in allowing us to clear things up in the nick of time and avoid any severe legal entanglements.
A firm knock at the door brought Sister Julienne back from her own thoughts. It was Sister Evangelina at the door.
"You really should come and join us for dinner especially as you worked through lunch today," her old friend spoke pointedly.
"I will be there shortly," Julienne responded closing her journal.
Leaving her office she paused for a moment in the chapel before heading on to the dining room.
Oh, Lord It has been a tough few weeks for all of us. Help us to remember that we are stronger together. Watch over us as we do your work in this world and give us patience and strength for the challenges we face in the days to come.
Amen