I decided to let all of you take a rest from my cluttering scribbles and thus moved to into hospital for a short stay of five weeks, before I managed to escape via a tunnel I had dug with a stolen spoon. It was a good time to reflect on all those yesterday’s and how fortunate I was to have been born is such a lucky country as ours.

Mid the sick,  be they old and young and from all walks of life, there was always the grin, the humour  and respect for each other and often a humorous tale from yesterday. Above all was the highest regard and admiration we had for the staff, from the youngest of  the cleaners to the seniors within the medical profession.   Many of the teams were nurses, always at the front line, so to speak. They were constantly exposed to an environment of pain and suffering. Often was their soothing reassurance to someone in fear of the unknown.

Thus this short  note below was sent to their office, hopefully to be seen by all of them.

                                        THANK YOU

“It is close to my escape and it would be very remiss of me not to thank all of you for your tireless dedication and valued assistance in my rehabilitation.

There were so many wonderful qualities which all of you demonstrated in the course of your duties; they included tolerance, patience, cheerfulness, sense of purpose and many more.

The challenges you set were so appropriate, and in a short time the achievement of personal goals became addictive.

All of you deserve recognition for recovering those from illness and injuries then preparing health, mind and confidence for each and every patient’s tomorrows.

For my experience , all I can say is thank you.

My immense respect and admiration to each and every one of you.”

George Mansford – March 2019
Prisoner, Cell 6, Level 2

A SALUTE TO SPACE AGE NIGHTINGALES

          Nightingales so busy in towns and the outback far away
Where “I need help” is a common plea heard every day
Blood tests, sutures and injections are a few of many tasks
Always a reassuring smile when a patient asks

If you whirred back in time to a war long ago
You would find a weary angel at Balaclava, nursing to and fro
Guided by a flickering lantern in dark crowded tents for sick and dying Young and old, stricken by wounds, fever, misery, pain and heavy sighing

I know naught of Florence’s dreams for all those tomorrows
Yet history records her crusades to counter pain and sorrow
Always was the pride of her noble profession no matter when or where
She became a bible of discipline, team work, respect and care

New deeds are added to her path of never ending footprints every day
She endured with strong heart and clear sense of purpose in many ways Sleep sound, Florence;  those who follow will use your true compass well
In today’s army of mercy, your lamp burns bright for disciples with tales to tell

“Space age nurses standing tall have answered the call”

George Mansford – March 2019