Text Box: her and asked who the man was. The startled nurse replied, "I thought he was your father. John informed the nurse that the man was not his father, in fact he had never seen him before in his life. The nurse asked him why he hadn't said anything. John replied, "I knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, I knew how much he needed me..." After this experience, John made a career change. I am honored to have met and worked with so many caring people. I would like to acknowledge and honor these people by devoting this newsletter to them, and all of you who serve God by caring for others. Susan Lichtenthal Executive Director Text Box: At different times in our lives, we will need someone to take care of us. Parents care for children, teachers care for students, staff of human service agencies care for a variety of clients, doctors and nurses care for patients, clergy care for members of a congregation, friends care for friends, husbands care for wives, wives care for husbands, adult children care for parents, and even strangers care for strangers. Caring can be a profession and/or a commitment, but there is no doubt that people who care make a difference. The director of a nursing home shared with me why he decided to change his career from accounting to human service. John was waiting to be interviewed for a business manager position at a nursing home, when a nurse escorted him to the bed side of an elderly man. "Your son is here," she whispered to the Text Box: patient. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened. He was heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack and he dimly saw John standing outside the oxygen tent. The man reached out his hand and grabbed John’s hand. John held the man’s hand squeezing a message of encouragement. The nurse brought a chair next to the bedside. All through the night John sat holding the old man’s hand, and offering gentle words of hope. The dying man said nothing as he held on tightly. As dawn approached, the man died. John placed the lifeless hand he had been holding on the bed, and notified the nurse. While the nurse did what was necessary, John waited. When she had finished her task, the nurse began to offer words of sympathy. John interrupted Text Box: SUMMER 2007

BEING THERE...
Text Box: The Lutheran Service Society of New York 6680 Main St Williamsville, NY 716-631-9212 www.lssofny.org Text Box: 2006-2007 Board Members President – Martha Held Vice President – Rachel Puccio Treasurer – Charles McCarty Secretary – Rev. Janet Griffiths Rev Edward Fehskens Dennis Gauda George Lewis Roger McGill Hilde Neubauer Text Box: BEING THERE…is published periodically by The Lutheran Service Society of New York, a not-for-profit social service agency. Services are available to the community without regard to race, sex, color, ethnic origin, religion, handicap, or (in some programs) financial capability. Contributions made to this agency are tax deductible and gratefully acknowledged. Text Box: Caring People Make a Difference Text Box: Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Leo Buscaglia