End Notes
Perseverance
By Nancy J. Baker, M.D.
The smooth-skinned hand
reaches for my shoe,
trying to grasp the brown stitch
as it unravels.
He opens and closes his fingers,
unable to hold on.
A sound in the hall
distracts him.
His eyes close,
his head droops.
Good.
Nap time before our next meal.
I close my eyes,
remembering
carefree days.
No job, no husband,
no children—
time to explore and dream.
Within minutes,
he stirs, looks up, and smiles.
With great effort,
he tries to move forward.
Should I help,
or wait and see?
He reaches for the chair
and tries to stand.
Off balance,
he totters and slumps down.
Undaunted,
he tries again.
I’ve seen this before—
persistence
as my children tried to walk.
This time
I reach to help,
knowing these steps may be Dad’s last.
Nancy Baker is an assistant professor of family medicine and community health at the University of Minnesota and a member of the Fairview University Family Medicine Residency program faculty. She practices at Smiley’s Clinic in Minneapolis.
This piece received honorable mention in Minnesota Medicine’s 2009 Medical Musings writing contest.