God’s providence or karma brought them together – it changed both their lives.
He was just graduated from nursing school, and turned 25 years old. Excited to be starting his new job at a hospice, he moved to a whole new city to start his career. The first day on the job he met Stella.
Stella was 83, and she found the days long, dark and lonely at the hospice. She was looking out the window at the rain, when her new caregiver came to bring her breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
Good morning Stella, my name is Luke but please call me Skywalker. Today is my first day and I will be your caregiver. How are you today?
He looked deep into Stella’s eyes and for the first time in weeks she felt like she was in the centre of someone’s attention, and not somewhere out on the edge.
Stella looked into his eyes – If I can call you Skywalker , you can call me Star. Tell me about yourself.
So he did. He opened up like a burst dam in the middle of rainstorm.
Skywalker talked about his collection of glass slugs, his love of science fiction old movies, his sweet tooth, his favorite tea (peppermint) and how he became a nurse.
Star soaked it all in, all the stories and felt like a girl on a first date memorizing all Skywalker’s stories. The best part though was that Skywalker was looking at her the whole time and she knew that he wanted to hear her favorite things, and was really interested in the telling.
So the telling, and the sharing began and flowed. She talked about working on a freighter, her favorite holidays, her collection of bookmarks, and her love of old science fiction movies.
Hours became days, and they were as comfortable together as a flannel shirt and jeans. Relaxed and naturally warm together they were, they brightened up the autumn days that grew darker for themselves and warmed everyone they met.
Unspoken was the understanding that Stella was not going home. The blood pressure checks, and the gradually increasing pain relief through her IV were a constant overshadowing but still the closeness developed between Skywalker and Stella.
They enjoyed a gift of invisible sunlight days but the clouds beckoned and finally Star felt the weakness bone deep and waved Skywalker to sit beside her.
A feeling of dread gripped his heart as he pulled a stool close, and held her bony fingers in his warm pink hands.
Almost a whisper she spoke – Luke, I love you. Thank you for taking care of me, the last few weeks have been wonderful getting to know you.
Almost a whisper and his eyes wet with tears – Star, I love you too. Thank you for being my first patient. I will never, never ever, forget you and our talks together.
Nothing else was said. Luke stayed there and held Stella’s hands as her eyelids closed and she slept for the last time.
Sweet dreams Star.
Many thanks for reading my little original story, I hope you enjoyed and envisioned Skywalker and Star. Your thoughts and comments are welcome. If you want to read the next “chapter” go to this link.
Life and Random Thinking 
So romantic…and just beautifully penned… 🙂
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Your comment means a great deal to me. Thank you. Any suggestions?
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Not at all…it was just wonderful! 🙂
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Dave well written and insightful.
Thank you
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Thank you!
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Brought tears to my eyes.
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I will try to write more
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Loved it. It’s simply beautiful.
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Thanks I appreciate the feedback. You may like some of the favorite category, one that I often think about is called 5 regrets.
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Will check it out.
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Such a lovely story. Reminds me of the my grandfather’s current carer, he was his first patient and the first time my grandfather has needed that extra help. I think this new journey for both of them has helped to seal a special bond and relationship.
Thanks for stopping by and following my blog 🙂
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In a few days I will add to the story, I hope you like it
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Pingback: Call Me Skywalker #2 | Life and Random Thinking
Beautiful story! 🙂
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Beautifully written, reminded me of my years in palliative care and a young doctor who fell for a dying dance teacher.
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Thank you for sharing your reaction, very encouraging to me.:)
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This is so heartwarming. Of course, I am hooked and will have to read the other instalments. By the way Susie sent me over.
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Glad to be here, Susie sent me and when Susie has a party it’s always a wild ride and a blogging goldmine!
Now following you and sharing! 🙂
Hope this week treats you kindly. 🙂
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Glad to meet you, and extra glad you are following me. 👍👍👍👍 I hope to hear from you again.
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Reblogged this on Life and Random Thinking and commented:
This is first short story in the category. I hope you love it, comment, and go check out the other. They are all brief and just wrote a few.
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Pingback: Skywalker #4 – Coming home to walls | Life and Random Thinking
I like the premise: getting to know one another as a patient and caretaker. I will be curious as to what twist or complexity you might introduce in the following chapters which will keep the reader hooked. These colder days in Florida are becoming more productive for me as I have less desire to go outside. Does this work also in Canada during the Winter? If so, you must be very productive!
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That one is the first of five in the series, please read and comment on the series. I am in a warm area, usually minus 15 or less, today’s high minus 7. My parents in Vancouver plus 2, my uncles in Saskatchewan minus 43. I like being outside if no wind, snowshoeing and light for photos is great. But I miss bicycling when the roads are icy.
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wow. stay warm.
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Oh wow! 😩😩😩 this was so touching! Wow! Why did she had to die!!! 😭 I’m loving this story already! Unto the next chapter I go! 🙌
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Cool! Btw where are you located? I am very happy you liked the first segment.
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What do you mean, you mean where I live/from? I’m from the beautiful Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago!! 🌞🌸🌊 and you?
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I live in Penticton, in BC canada. A small city nestled between two lakes, Skaha lake and okanagan lake. My city name means A Place to Live Forever. See my ABOUT page.
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Oh I see, very nice! Canada is beautiful and the lakes are out of this world! I’ll love to visit one day🙏.
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There are many lakes that are beautiful. In the mountains the mist rises off a lake and it is magical with a loons haunting cry.
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Wow! Beautiful! ✨
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You may have noticed I am a Toastmaster. This organization is all around the world and meetings are free for guest to visit to learn more about Toastmasters. Some clubs near you also.
https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/articles/leadership-in-the-kitchen
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Oh ok I see!
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https://dfolstad58.wordpress.com/about/
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Pingback: Chapter 7 – Looking out for #1 | Life and Random Thinking
You pulled me in, the descriptive words the closeness you gave to me the reader and your grammar is impeccable. I am clicking the link for more. Thank you!
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Thank you sincerely for your kind words and encouragement. Much appreciated. – David
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Pingback: Chapter 8 – Rain down my back | Life and Random Thinking
2015? This has been a labor of love. Happy I finally stumbled upon it.
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goes double for me. ♥
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