RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Warmth of Strangers
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 1026
OP 1029
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2022.05.220058
VO 35
IS 5
A1 Judith Volcy
YR 2022
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/35/5/1026.abstract
AB I present a reflection of my last months with my mother as I cared for her during her battle with breast cancer. A practicing internist, I made the decision to bring my mother from New Jersey to Georgia so that I could continue working and so that my husband and I would be able to continue caring for our 2 sons, who were ages 3 and 5 at the time. The following describes the warmth my mother felt and I witnessed in the office waiting room from other patients-strangers, ready to extend genuine Southern hospitality and love for my mother from the first appointment and how I cared for her during that time. Although this was a difficult time for my mother, it strangely was also a special time of bonding between us even though we were always close. I had the honor of caring for a woman who gave everything for her children and I had the chance to be there for her in a role reversal. As the second oldest of 4 daughters, I was always sharing my mother. I had the unique pleasure of having her all to myself and I treasured that.