Chapter 5: Time Heals all Wounds
Faith looked at her reflection in the mirror as she styled her hair for the new day. To be honest, these past few weeks had been both challenging and life-changing. This epidemic had taken a toll on everyone in Hope Valley, not only physically but emotionally and, one could even say, spiritually as well. She never knew what Coal Valley was like when it had lost the 47 men in the mining accident that horrific day back in 1910, but here, 10 years later, she felt the effects of what this epidemic had done to the town. Her town. Eight deaths, people that she knew. It broke her heart in ways she didn't know how to communicate. But then, she thought of the ones who had survived, even if they were physically struggling a little still, like Bill and Henry, who had finally been released from the makeshift hospital, back home with the promise to take life easy. Slowly, things were returning to normal. In just a couple more weeks, the school would shift back to just the schoolhouse and no longer be a makeshift hospital. Faith was thankful for the way that the community had stepped in during this time of tragedy for one another. And she loved the fact that even the neighboring communities were willing to help out as well. It was for that very reason that she was able to have this break now that she realized she so desperately needed.
Just the other afternoon, she received a phone call from Dr. James McGuffin of Benson Hills. He had heard what a hard time Hope Valley was having and wanted to offer his help. He had a day off and wanted to volunteer to help in the "hospital" for the day to simply relieve Dr. Faith and give her a day of rest and see any patients in the infirmary for needs outside of the flu. Faith smiled from ear to ear over the phone and gladly accepted the kind offer.
The goal today, after a good night's sleep, was to see a few patients at the infirmary and then debrief the day with Dr. McGuffin at dinner at the cafe. They would work the night shift together, and then, the next day, Dr. McGuffin would return to Benson Hills.
As Faith put her hairbrush back into her vanity drawer, she saw the picture of her and Carson from years ago, in their early years of courting, before med school. So much had changed since that time. She let her fingers touch the picture with a smile. Faith was thankful for her time with Carson. With him, she discovered the meaning of love and her life's dream of becoming a doctor became a reality because of his belief in her. But over the course of the past year without him in her life that way, she grew to realize that Carson was her "season." He came into her life for a short time in a special way to help her become the person she was meant to be. Carson would always hold a dear place in her heart. Faith sighed, smiled again, and closed the drawer.
As she made her way down the stairs of the apartment above the infirmary, she went to the windows to pull up the shades and turn the closed sign to open. As she did this, she saw Nathan ride by on Newton, starting his morning rounds. He waved to her, and she smiled and waved back. Nathan had become a good friend this past year. For a brief moment, a few months prior, she thought that there may have been something else developing within her heart, but she realized that Nathan was simply a friend who she could freely speak with and laugh with. It was an easy thing to confuse as interest when healing from a broken heart of sorts. She knew that Nathan was on his own journey of healing from a broken heart and that friendship was the best place for them to be.
She looked at her appointment book for the day and saw that Elizabeth was the first of many she'd see that day. Faith was glad that Elizabeth was coming in. She hadn't seen much of her friend since Lucas passed away a couple of weeks ago, and she was truly concerned. That didn't seem quite like the Elizabeth she knew and loved.
As the bell above the door jingled, she looked up to see Elizabeth walk in the door. The two women smiled at one another, and Faith motioned Elizabeth behind the privacy screen for their appointment.
As Faith examined Elizabeth, she could see the exhaustion on her face and the empty, blank look in her eyes. Elizabeth shared how she had developed headaches in the past two weeks and the way she couldn't sleep at night and the desire to sleep longer once she finally did fall asleep. After Elizabeth explained her physical ailments, Faith looked into her friend's eyes and simply asked, "And how are you doing emotionally since Lucas's passing?"
Elizabeth took a deep breath. She could feel the tears forming within her eyes, and she looked down at her hands in her lap. "I feel so lost Faith. I miss my companion. Lucas was always there for me. And now, all I want to do is stay home with Little Jack and sleep. I have to snap out of this. School will be back in session soon with the town healing from this ordeal. But to be honest, I'm not quite sure that I'm truly ready", Elizabeth shared between sobs.
Faith looked at her friend and thought for a moment. What was the best thing to say or to do in this matter? "Elizabeth, besides me, is there anyone else that you trust to talk about this situation?" Faith asked her friend with a concerned look on her face and in her eyes. Elizabeth simply shook her head and said,"I'm not sure that I want to talk to anyone about this to be honest." Elizabeth looked at Faith, and Faith smiled at her friend. Then, she nodded and answered, "Well, I would recommend at least maybe writing it out within your journal to get some of your feelings out in the open. i truly believe that your headaches, lack of sleep, and desire to oversleep are your body's response to your grieving process. Elizabeth, you need to allow yourself to go through this process fully. It's OK to feel... It's OK to grieve. I don't think that you were fully able to with Jack because of becoming pregnant and caring for Little Jack. But now, I think for your well being, you have to allow this process to occur properly. Does this make sense?" Elizabeth looked into her friend's eyes and could truly feel the sincerity and concern. So, Faith walked over and filled out a prescription for Elizabeth's headaches and lack of sleep to take to the pharmacy. But then, she handed her a second prescription that read more like a personal note: "1) Journal 2) Feel 3) Process as much as needed until you feel better." Elizabeth smiled at the message, folded it, and placed it in her purse. She thanked Faith for her help and proceeded to the pharmacy.