Love in purple gloves

I have never seen someone clean so carefully and thoroughly. Normally, when we clean, we wipe what we see, straighten a few things that are crooked, and move on. Not this man.

When my husband was in the University of Michigan hospital, after a few days his roommate was discharged, and a man came in wearing a badge that read "Environmental Services."  

I wondered what an Environmental Service person did, and so I surreptitiously started to observe, stealing glances from my seat across the room.

Wearing thick purple gloves, the Environmental Services employee began spraying and wiping, turning over equipment and cleaning places I never would have imagined needed attention.

He carefully sanitized every corner that a patient or visitor might have touched.

It was fascinating to watch. Eventually I wasn't able to keep my mouth shut, as this was truly a marvel I was witnessing, and I had to comment.  "I have to tell you," I said, "I have never seen anyone clean so thoroughly."    

He looked up, surprised, and with a thick European accent (Bulgarian perhaps?), he said that yes, he wiped every possible surface that might have been touched, so that the next patient would have a completely clean room.

He placed his gloves in the waste bin and carefully washed his hands. Then he made the bed.     

    With utmost care and efficiency, he arranged the sheets, smoothing each one so that it was uniformly even on each side, of course completing it with flawless "hospital corners."

He placed the final sheet sideways halfway down the bed and carefully pressed it in place with practiced, caring hands.

Again, I couldn't keep my mouth shut. "You are really good at that," I said. 

He then said something that gave me pause.  "I clean it like my wife might be occupying this bed next."

A job done like he would do for his wife.  He approached his daily work with the same love and care he would show someone he loved most.

The entire cleaning and bed making took about thirty minutes. He smiled and quietly left the room. I doubt he has any idea that weeks later, I still think about the loving way he made that bed. 

About the author: Rev. Sharon Smith is pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She has never made a hospital bed that could pass inspection but appreciates anyone who can.

Contact Sharon at dave@tri-citytimes.com