ELEGY FOR A FRIEND
Natalie turned her attention back to the present as the memorial service started. A man had stepped up to the podium and was saying, "We are gathered here today to remember our friend and colleague Dr. Miles McCabe. Dr. McCabe passed away suddenly following a brief illness. And we are saddened by his loss. I am sure some of you have said or thought that it wasn't fair. He was too young and his life was taken too soon. That he had so much more to accomplish."
The minister paused for a moment and continued, "Although Miles' time with us was considered to be brief, he did accomplish much. Having attended Medical school at an earlier than usual age, he went on to become a caring and compassionate doctor. I first met Miles when he was a first year resident at Baltimore General Hospital and I was their new
volunteer chaplain. That particular evening I'd been summoned down to the ER to comfort and pray with the parents of a young girl who'd been brought in. All I will say is that what had been done to that child I
wouldn't want to be seen done to another human being. Miles had done everything he could to save her but in the end he failed. When he went to talk to the parents, you could see her really felt for them."
Natalie sat staring at the minister, her eyes beginning to fill with tears as she listened. She was only vaguely aware that Connor had placed his arm around her shoulders in a comforting gesture.
The minister continued, "I'm sure that many of you have your own memories and recollections of Miles and I ask you to share only if you desire to do so. Laurel Thomas, one of the ER nurses has a song she'd like to share."
He stepped away only to be replaced by a young woman, her red hair pulled back into a braid. She dabbed at her eyes and and consulted the paper in her hand. "Back when I was a student nurse Miles was a fourth year medical student doing his ER rotation. Somehow we ended up working some of the same shifts together and got along okay. I will admit that I was kind of
glad that he decided to do his residency at Baltimore General. Anyway to explain about the song, I love to sing and I was always singing along with the radio or to the kids in the ER. Miles would always ask me when I was going to audition for "American Idol". Well, Ifinally did it. I sent in my audition tape. I justwish he was around to see me get that recording
contract. The song I have selected to sing is one of my favorite hymns, "Amazing Grace". This song is for you, Miles."
She took a breath and let it out. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound/ That saved a wretch like me/ I once was lost but now I'm found/ Was blind but now I see/" She sang the song in her clear sweet voice.
Once the song was finished, the minister said, "A beautiful song, Laurel. Now if anybody wants to say a few words in honor of Miles. Be my guest."
Natalie stood up and silently made her way to the podium, willing herself not to break down while she talked.
Once there she took a few minutes to regain her composure before speaking. "My name is Dr. natalie Durant and I knew Miles when he joined the NIH. Although his time with us was less than a year, I got to work with him a lot and see him become a valued member of the team we were both on. The last time we were on assignment, Miles, along with another team
member and myself had been sent down to Central America to identify and contain an unknown disease outbreak. Miles as usual went where he was needed although it would eventually cost him his life. Even wheen he was so sick, his first concern was for the people he had to leave behind. Miles had always put those who needed him ahead of his own concerns and
that's what he did yet again. Even when he faced the possibility that he might not survive, his first priority was stopping the illness. That's one thing I always admired about Miles and I'm glad I got the chance to know him."
She sstepped away from the podium and back to her seat, reaching to wipe her eyes. Connor reached totouch her arm and said, "That was very fitting, Nat."
"Thank you. It's the least I could do," she said softly and sat back to listen to the rest of the service.
Once the service was over, Natalie saw Laurel heading her way. "Can I help you?" she asked the younger woman.
Laurel looked at the paper she still clutched in her hand. "You were with Miles when he died?" she asked quietly.
"I was," Natalie replied.
"Can you tell me if Miles was happy in his job?" Laurel asked.
"Yes. I believe he was."
"That's good. I was very sorry to hear about Miles. He was a really nice guy you know. But a lot can happen in an ER that can really break your heart. Experience a lot of stuff you'd never want to again.I think he was ready to get away from the ER at least for awhile and I'm glad he found something he seemed to enjoy. I'm sure he experienced a lot with the NIH but not like what he did in the ER. Anyway, it's good to meet you, Dr. Drant. It seemed that Miles found a good friend in you."
"It was to meet you , Ms. Thomas," Natalie replied. She watched Laurel leave before going in sarch of Connor. It was time to go home and pick up the pieces, to get back to work. Somehow she knew that Miles would want it that way.