Joy Mattson is a registered nurse at Hickory House Nursing Home in Honey Brook. Joy knew that one of her residents, Mary Troop, a retired nurse, was diagnosed with breast cancer and was undergoing both radiation and chemotherapy. Joy noticed that Mary was becoming depressed and that her hair was beginning to fall out.
Mary was on Joy’s mind. One night, Joy had a dream that there were people lined up and down the hall of A Wing, where Mary lives, dressed in pink. Mary was coming down the hall in her wheelchair between the two lines. Everyone was holding posters and giving Mary flowers and balloons. Music was playing, and they cheered Mary on, giving her words of encouragement.
The next night, Joy had the very same dream.
When Joy got up the next morning, she was convinced that she had to do this for Mary. She wanted to show Mary how much everyone cares for her. When she got to work the next day and told her coworkers about her dream, she asked them if they would be willing to wear pink and participate in this celebration. Everyone agreed.
Joy went home on a mission to make this dream a reality. On the appointed day, everyone working that day dressed in pink, balloons were hung, posters Joy made were held up, music played and as Mary wheeled down the hall, everyone on both sides of the hallway handed Mary a carnation and expressed words of encouragement. At the end of the line, Mary had an entire bouquet of carnations in her arms, a pink sequin cap and she smiled all the way. Though many of the staff had tears in their eyes, their hearts and faces were filled with love. Mary’s face lit up with the wonder of this display for her.
Joy’s dream came true because Joy believed that it would make a difference for Mary. It did make a difference for Mary, and it made a difference for all who participated in making Joy’s dream come true.
This is a true story. No information was shared in this story without the express and written permission of all described above. Hickory House Nursing Home and Rehab provides skilled nursing and rehabilitation services in Chester County.
