Watched Obama's speech with an elderly African American woman dying of cancer tonight.

[Obamarama]

I work in a hospital and was nearing the end of my shift when I walked in a room to draw labs on a patient. The patient was an 81 year old African American woman, and as I approached her bed I could see that she was crying, and not lightly.

I asked what was wrong, but her gentle, muffled sobs made her words pretty difficult to understand. After I determined she wasn't in any medical distress she was finally able to tell me why she was crying. She pointed to the television, which had on Obama, delivering his speech from Denver.

She explained that she grew up in the South (Mississippi). She is the granddaughter of a slave, and one of her uncles was lynched. She said 45 years ago when MLK gave his historic speech, she and others were still called niggers to their faces.

She also has advanced breast cancer and has months - possibly weeks - to live. She was simply so proud that she is seeing a black man get so close to the presidency.

So there I stood, this big 6'5" white guy holding the hand of this frail, little old black lady living out her last days, tears streaming down my face like a child. For me, this will be one of those moments a person tends to remember for a long, long time.

We were both laughing by the time I regained my composure. "Honey," she said to me, "just do this old woman a favor - say a little prayer for me and vote for that man." It will be her face I see when I mark Barack Obama on my ballot in November.

Her name is Bessie Mae. If you are the praying type, please say a little prayer for her.

[nadinbrzezinski]

Cherish that story

As a medic I got to take care of a man who rode with Villa...

And yes, he also made me cry, for other reasons.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Love you Bessie Mae!

[bobmorr1]

36. Bessie Mae

I will say a prayer and Also think of her when I cast my vote.:hug:

[monmouth]

2. Oh lord, I'm in tears again. Lovely story, bless you Bessie Mae and bless you Kzoo..n/t

[Muttocracy]

3. thank you

:cry:

[Booster]

4. What a nice story and how fortunate for Bessie Mae and you to

have been able to share that moment together. Good vibes from my house to Bessie Mae, and prayers too.:grouphug:

[Hokie]

I have never been as proud to recommned a post!

What a moving story. I will remember Bessie Mae when I vote too.

[gateley]

5. Love to Bessie Mae, and I will think of her when I cast my vote, too.

Tell he we have it covered - it's a done deal.

[ourbluenation]

18. me too. me too. here's to bessie mae.

:hug:

[villager]

6. Quite honored to rec this. Thanks for posting...

n/t

[NanceGreggs]

7. When I think back on this night ...

... I will remember THIS story more vividly than anything else.

Thank you.

[Lars39]

8. I'm so glad Bessie Mae got to watch tonight.

And I'm so glad that you were there with her. I hope her eventual passing will be easy. :hug:

[countryjake]

9. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

:hug: to both you and Bessie Mae!

[BlooInBloo]

10. :))))))))

[Frances]

11. I'm so glad you were there to share her happiness

[beac]

12. Oh boy, you got me weeping again.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful story and tell Bessie Mae we'll make her proud in November!

:hug:

[RamboLiberal]

24. Same here - thank you for this marvelous story

I'm praying for Bessie Mae. I hope she lives to see Obama elected and to see his inauguration.

[roguevalley]

13. bless both of you, my darling. What a beautiful story. I will prayfor

you, Bessie Mae

[panAmerican]

14. Prayers for Bessie Mae's health AND for KazooDem's kind heart

[Raster]

15. Thank you for sharing. That has got to be one of the most touching things I have ever read.

Thank you for sharing. Bless Bessie Mae's heart.
:kick:

[bertman]

16. I'm not the praying type, but I'm offering one up for Bessie Mae anyway.

[LeahD]

17. KzooDem, may we share this touching post with others? n/t

[Obamarama]

19. This is a public board, so why not. I only have one request...

Keep the focus on her. I just stood there holding her hand and blubbering like a baby. Both she and Obama were the heroes tonight.

[Raster]

20. And how wonderful and special that you were there.

Bless your heart.

[rebel with a cause]

21. May the powers that be smile down on Bessie Mae

and carry her along on her journey.

Like Bessie Mae I remember the days when signs hung is store windows that let Blacks know that they could/would not be served, signs when you came into some towns that let Blacks know they better not be there after the sun went down, and people had no problem calling them not only the "N" word but also lots of other "funny" names. I remember my mother sitting me down and teaching me every one of those names, and then told me that since I knew what they meant she better never hear me say them.

Like Bessie Mae I had breast cancer this year, and can only hope it does not come back or spread. But unlike Bessie Mae, mine was found in the early stages so I do have a chance of it not killing me, at least for a while.

Like Bessie Mae I am hoping to see a Black man become president and have lived this last year holding on to that hope. Not because I share Bessie Mae's history, but because I do not. I am one of the many whites in this country who has benefited by the slavery of the Africans brought over to these shores. I have ancestors who owned slaves, I found this while searching for my history. One ancestor owned a small hotel and one was a farmer. Both of them traveled south and brought back a slave worker to Illinois. I found it and felt shame for their actions. I even learned the other day that my non-white ancestors, the Cherokee, owed slaves while they lived in NC. I still have family today that are prejudice and some are out and out racist. How do I know? I have children who are not white like me. I have not interacted with these relatives for twenty-two years now, so I don't know what they feel about Barack Obama and I don't care. I would rather know what Bessie Mae feels about him.

So to Bessie Mae I say thank you for what your ancestors and you sacrificed and suffered so that today we have come to the point where a Black man could become president. Because this day has come about not because whites are willing for it to, it is because the African Americans have came this far through their work and their giving of their sweat and blood.

And I thank you Kzoodem for giving us this story tonight and your devotion to your job. I thank you also for your humanitarianism in making sure this lovely lady was okay and giving her your company while she watched a dream come true.


Edited because I am wordy and then don't check my words. If I missed more errors, I apoligize.

[lapfog_1]

22. I say this as an agnostic

or even an atheist.

I will say a prayer for Bessie May...

BUT, she is not in need of our prayers for she has already achieved a state of grace in this world.

If I am wrong and the people of faith are right, I hope SHE says a prayer for all of US when she enters that kingdom that awaits her. And recommends you, KzooDem, to her lord and savior.

[Kajsa]

91. What a beautiful sentiment, Lapfrog-1!

Thank you for a great post-

:)

:pals:

[ladywnch]

102. beautifully said and ditto n/t

[demigoddess]

116. If you believe in reincarnation, you know that advanced souls very often choose

to be born to oppressed groups in order to teach the rest of us lessons. She will not need our prayers but I will think of her when I vote for Obama!!

[chknltl]

124. check your PM box

[satya]

23. Maybe you could help her request an absentee ballot and she'll be able to vote for Obama herself.

And we'll all be hoping that she'll see him sworn in, too.

Thanks for sharing this story.

[jcla]

25. Thanks satya,

That was my recommendation also! Bessie Mae would be so proud to vote... And thank you Kzoo. I will vote remembering all those who are not here to vote.
And vote with those who are here. Everyone incredible American Journey....

[knitter4democracy]

61. It should be pretty easy for her in Michigan.

You have to prove that you can't get to the polls, and I think she'll be able to do that. She'd need someone to get the paperwork for her, though.

[aquart]

26. Tell her to hang on till November.

So she can watch him win.

[avaistheone1]

27. You betcha.

:grouphug:

Healing thoughts to this good woman.

[TahitiNut]

28. That, to me, is what it means to be a liberal. Bravo.

It's not the politics of narrow self-interest, it's the politics of enlightened self-interest. It's about justice for all. It's about knowing that human relations isn't a zero-sum game where there's win-lose ... that there's only win-win and lose-lose. It's about tears. And goosebumps. It's about knowing the every human being has innate worth and a RIGHT to a place on this earth no greater or lesser than any other human being.

It's about knowing that ALL our souls are served when any of our souls are served and that none of us can be well-off when any of us are suffering injustice.

Bravo.

:applause:

[Sunnyshine]

29. My, what a moment that must have been. Beautiful Bessie Mae...we will keep hope alive.

In your name, we will work to honor your wishes and that of many others who have expressed the same. Peace be with you Bessie Mae and you too KzooDem. Thank you for being a great guy and for wanting to do good by others. This moment sums it all up.

[Dem2theMax]

30. KzooDem, would you do me a favor?

Tell Bessie Mae that Dem2theMax is praying for her. Praying for her health and praying that she is here to mark that ballot in November.

[Kire]

31. If Obama is President can he rename my student loan company?

Change Sallie Mae to Bessie Mae in honor of that incredible woman?

I know they have something to do with the government. Not sure if he has that power.

Probably not, but, she deserves some bill or some kind of huge tribute named after her.

[Norwood]

32. Thank you very much for sharing your story

Its moments like that that really touch your heart. I'll remember your story when I cast my vote for Barack Obama in November.

[Kitty Herder]

33. Thank you for sharing that!

Now I'm in tears, too.

I don't pray, but I'm sending good vibes her way.

[Heather MC]

34. Wow I will

[FloridaJudy]

35. Praying for Bessie Mae

I don't know what happens when we die, but if there's a heaven I hope she can look down on us with pride.

Here's a candle for all the Bessie Maes, and the KzooDems.

[swimmernsecretsea]

37. This is the fourth time I've cried today.

And I don't mind. I'm so very happy. I have no idea what to say, except that I'm so very happy this has happened, and look what a wave of love has rippled out from it. I heard from a friend in Vancouver BC, who watched it too with tears in his eyes, and says he's not afraid anymore. Afraid! We made other countries afraid of us! And afraid for us. And so many people I know are looking at their children and seeing the future in their eyes, and possibilities of hope. What a great day.

[ashaw]

38. Stay With Us

An open letter to Bessie Mae,

I am not a believer of any religion but what I read of your story gives me faith. Faith in the strength and beauty of one individual to persevere until a dream is fulfilled. Faith in one voice to touch the hearts of strangers like me, an ex-pat American in Canada, who has felt for a long time that she is in emotional exile from her native country. Faith to feel proud of my homeland where the name of America is despised in the world. I have tears in my eyes as I type this. I will gladly vote for Obama and, as I vote, I will remember your story. Thank you, Bessie, for your presence in the world.

[jamesatemple]

39. Blade of Grass! K & R!

As a very young kid, I would lie on my belly in the grass and just look closely at everything that lay in front of me. I would look at an individual blade of grass and think to myself, "I'm the only human on planet Earth that has paid specific attention to this little blade." I don't know how many "Bessie Maes" there are, but I am so glad that you found this one and brought her to the attention of others.

In light of the feelings of compassion generated by our fine, young Presidential candidate, I'm goin' to see if these old eyes can find another "Bessie Mae" locally and spend a few moments just listenin'. Thank you, KzooDem, for remindin' me to get out of myself occasionally.

[Hand]

119. Welcome to DU, ashaw!

From another ex-pat in Canada--who still votes in the US, too! :hi:

[kimmylavin]

40. I'm glad you were there with her.

I'm sure it meant much to her to share this historic moment with a big ol' white guy. :)

Tell her there's yet another person who will think of her face as they cast their Obama vote...

[Fumesucker]

41. K&R This cynical old geezer has a tear too. n/t

[Eurobabe]

42. You just made me cry.

{{{Bessie Mae}}}}

I am SO proud of America right now. :cry: :cry:

Oh, and thank the stars for you nurses, all of you :yourock:

[OneGrassRoot]

43. That was one of the most powerful, inspiring things...

I've ever read. Thank you -- thank you so much for sharing that.

:hug:

[Irishonly]

44. Bessie Mae will be in my prayers

Ever since my diagnosis of breast cancer nine years ago, I started lighting a candle every night for those still fighting and also as a memorial to those who have gone on to a better place. Bessie Mae will be on my mind when I vote for Obama in November.

I had wondered where America had gone these past eight years. As I watched the DNC, I saw my America. It's still here and we won't be silenced any more.

[barbtries]

45. beautiful story

bless you bessie mae!

[dddem]

46. It seems to me that Bessie Mae doesn't need my prayers -

She's already an angel. Lucky you that you shared those moments with her.
Peace.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

47. For Bessie Mae, and for you KzooDem.

Blessings of strength, and warm vibes of comfort, love and respect.

[bunkerbuster1]

48. God bless you, Bessie.

And thank you, KzooDem, for sharing with us.

[Rainbowreflect]

49. I thought I was all cried out, I was wrong.

Thank you for sharing that beautiful story.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

50. Thank you for sharing that with us

I cannot even begin to convey how profoundly moved and touched I was by that. I'm so glad that she lived long enough to see this moment in history.

My thoughts and prayers are with Bessie Mae and her family:hug:

[WillyT]

51. For Bessie May...

We will make it happen!

:loveya:

:grouphug:

K & R !!!

:kick:

[hlthe2b]

52. You aren't the only one with streaming tears--- very poignant

Thank you for sharing. I send her my prayers and I, too will think of Bessie May come November. Thank you for being there for this amazing lady in her time of need and open to receiving her gift back to you.

[TommyO]

53. Dang, you made me cry, again, and they were good tears!

Bessie Mae will in my thoughts and prayers, and will be there when I cast my vote in her honor!

[sellitman]

54. Bless her.

Glad she was alive long enough to see it.

[gademocrat7]

55. I will keep Ms. Bessie Mae in my prayers.

Thank you for being there with her.I will be thinking of her when I cast my ballot in November for Obama.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

56. You have my prayer, Bessie Mae

Your story brought tears to my eyes. May you--and our country--be healed.

[pleah]

57. K&R for Miss Bessie Mae and for you KzooDem.

:)

[knitter4democracy]

58. Hubby was sitting with a dying breast cancer patient last night, too.

Over in Marshall. Damn cancer. I will definitely pray for Bessie Mae.

It was a huge night. I sat there, watching it, and got a bit weepy with how awesome it really was.

[Mad_Dem_X]

59. God bless her!

Kick for Bessie Mae!

[Martin Eden]

60. Now you'v e done it -- you've made me cry too!

K&R

[Virginia Dare]

62. Wow, what a poignant moment for you..

I'm so glad Bessie Mae was able to see this before she dies.

[deutsey]

63. You should send this to Peggy "Everyone is Sick in Their World" Noonan

Not that she would understand...

[SnowCritter]

64. Wiping my eyes

K & R

And a prayer for Bessie, too! :hug:

[theFrankFactor]

65. Now Ya Did It.. I'm All Cried Up Again!

[wicket]

66. Prayers for Bessie Mae

And thanks for sharing this story :hug:

[theFrankFactor]

67. and another thing...

She is the granddaughter of a slave, and one of her uncles was lynched. She said 45 years ago when MLK gave his historic speech, she and others were still called niggers to their faces.

This is a point I frequently make to rightists with that bull shit "get-over-it" attitude about racism and slavery. One hundred years after slavery was ended on paper, blacks took a ton of shit, and continue to.

I did a video segment on this topic here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaFxhcvSjyk

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

68. You know...

I am thinking here as a website/press guy: A reporter could make his or her bones, writing a feature article on this story and others like it.

Bless you for your kindness to her and all blessings to Bessie Mae.

[Obamarama]

69. I thought last night, too, that her story and history would make perfect feature article material.

But given the situation, I would be in a whole lot of hot water in regards to HIPPA privacy laws if I were to approach a reporter. As it is, I slightly changed her first name so as to make sure she couldn't be identified should a friend or relative of hers in my city happen to be on DU.

I could mention it as an idea to her, but she's battling for her life and I feel it wouldn't be ethical to approach her or her family about going public with this story. Besides, I don't care to have the local media spotlight on me, either.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

74. I understand, intimately, the HIPAA concerns.

That said, you could let a good reporter know that these stories exist out there and let him or her do their own digging. After all, digging is a part of the job.

[tavalon]

83. Thank you for clarifying that you did follow HIPPA

As a nurse, I was wondering, but I decided that if you had made a mistake, I wasn't going to rain on your beautiful story.

[flakey_foont]

70. Thank you for sharing that story

[Ilsa]

71. I don't cry too often, but I am now. This is so touching. I'll be praying

for Bessie Mae to hang on at least until Barack Obama takes the oath of office.

[myrna minx]

72. And here I though I had finished crying for the week.

Bless you Bessie Mae and to you KzooDem. :hug: :cry:

[Ilsa]

73. Can I copy your story to send to some friends? I want them to know

what it means to African Americans that the US has nominated an A.A. for a major party's candidate. I think this story also gives some insight into what Michelle Obama had said that was so misunderstood.

[jhain]

75. It's been a long time coming

For Bessie:

[jhain]

76. Could we send her cards??

I would love to send a card.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

77. Thank you so much for posting this

What a beautiful story. I will keep Bessie Mae in my prayers, and thank you for all you do! :yourock:

[Wiley50]

78. I just Heard Stephanie Miller Read This Letter!

Congrats!

[Raster]

79. Kick!

Share the love!:kick:

[tavalon]

80. I do hope she gets to still be around to see him inaugurated

If not, I'm sure she'll be looking down happily.

[wryter2000]

81. I'll keep her in my thoughts

Thanks for sharing that moment with us.

[nradisic]

82. Wow...

I'm in tears.....God's speed Bessie Mae. Only in America is it possible to experience what we are witnessing.

[Faygo Kid]

87. I'm with you. Wow.

[Swagman]

84. I'll be praying for Bessie Mae-God bless you.

[madmom]

85. I remarked to my SO last night,"can you imagine what the elderly black folk must be feeling right

now?" he said "no, I can't, but I'm glad they get to feel it!" Here's to you Bessie Mae!:hug:

[lisainmilo]

86. I am the praying type!

and I do pray with all my heart, that Bessie Mae gets to see the next president of the United States, Barack Obama, sworn in, ....AMEN!

[Greyskye]

88. This atheist is crying, and saying a prayer for Bessie Mae

:kick: and Rec and :cry:

[bdamomma]

89. oh my goodness

Bessie Mae, I will BE proud to vote for Barack Obama. and Get Well wishes to you.

[Kajsa]

90. What a beautiful story,KzooDem!

I too will think of Bessie Mae when i vote for Obama in November.
And yes, I'm keeping her in my prayers.

Thanks so much for sharing this.

;)

[Rambis]

92. Bless Bessie Mae

get an absentee ballot for her- It sounds like it would be her last wish to help him win.:cry:

[Joanne98]

93. Bless her heart.

[Midlodemocrat]

94. What a beautiful story.

God bless you, Bessie Mae.

[Stump]

95. Tell her a lot of people will be thinking about her...

when we cast that historic ballot.

[ZombieHorde]

96. Her name is Bessie Mae.

Doesn't this go against confidentiality? Don't get me wrong, the story is beautiful, but I don't think that a hospital employee can post a patient's name and diagnosis.

[codjh9]

100. Perhaps not, since he didn't say her last name. (?)

[ZombieHorde]

105. Are you sure that Mae is not her last name?

When I worked in health care, we were not allowed to give any part of the name. Though that could have just been company policy or state law.

[NOLALady]

103. Her name is not Bessie Mae.

He changed the name to protect her privacy.

[ZombieHorde]

104. How do you know?

[vademocrat]

111. See post 69 - he changed her name in the story - n/t

[ZombieHorde]

113. Ah, I see. That is a good thing, I would hate it if he lost his job for sharing a story with us.

[WildEyedLiberal]

97. I don't usually recommend "personal anecdote" stories...

... but damn, that was a powerful post. :patriot: for Bessie Mae. Don't worry Bessie, we'll get him in for you, and I hope you get to watch the inauguration.

[codjh9]

98. Thanks - I can related in so many ways. My mother was a big Obama supporter,

but she passed away - also from cancer - in May 2007, so she didn't even get close to see him winning the nomination, much less getting to see the wonderful convention. I'm a cancer survivor myself. But I'll be thinking of Mom AND Bessie Mae when I vote, and yes, I'll pray for Bessie Mae too. Thanks again.

[snacker]

99. Thank you for sharing that with us...

and God bless Bessie Mae!

[SeattleGirl]

101. Oh God, what a beautiful story.

I'll say a prayer for Bessie Mae, and send a blessing to your big heart.

[AwakeAtLast]

106. A lot of healing going on across our nation

whether the Repukes like it or not. God bless Bessie Mae - and you too! :hug:

[chatnoir]

107. Wow, in tears here. Ty for sharing.

:hug:

[sasori]

108. beautiful!...

...aw,man-you got me crying again. :cry:

[ismnotwasm]

109. That is simply wonderful

Thank you for sharing that story, it's moments like that, that encourages us to continue the fight.

[jjr5]

110. Wow :) Thank you for sharing!

This should go into special DU archives. What a touching and timely story.

[pengillian101]

112. Why is my screen so blurry...n/t

:cry:

[Matariki]

114. Rec # 179 for Bessie Mae. And a prayer too.

[tblue37]

115. I am not religious--but I will pray that she lives long enough to see him elected. n/t

[chknltl]

117. Please submit this to READERS DIGEST

The Christian Science Monitor would be another great place for this too!

[spanone]

118. k& rrrrrrrrrrr

[DebJ]

120. Please God let Bessie May see President-elect Obama Nov 5.

[WatchWhatISay]

121. Too close to home for me not to cry

Last March I took my 84 year old mother in law to vote. She was blind and dying from cancer, but she really wanted to vote for Obama, so I had the pleasure of helping her do that. She was not black. She was a very white wonderful woman who was smart enough to be co-owner of a patent for a blow-out preventer she designed for Cameron Iron Works, as well as a teacher, a veteran, a mother of four. She grew up in Iowa and married an alchoholic man who treated her poorly, never gave her credit for anything, rarely allowed her to spend time developing friendships (she was very lonely),and never let her have her dignity. Yet she stuck it out with him for 40 years until he died. He squandered much of her inheritance of selfish toys, and his sons put him up on a pedestal, instead of her, because he would drink and smoke pot with them.

I think while we were at the polls, we must both have been thinking that she probably wouldn't be here to vote in November, but she did what she could. I had not really gotten to know her until she became too ill to maintain her independence, and at first it was hard to get used to living at her house when I would have preferred being home. As her illness became worse it started to affect that wonderful brain of hers, and thats really when she began hoping for death, because her sharp mind was her proudest possession. In moments of paranoia she accused me of some pretty awful things, but she was not herself by then. But my husband is working overseas, and her own daughter couldnt see her way to take off work to stay with her (ironically, she took the full week off AFTER her mother died, to make sure she was in charge of who got what possessions were left behind). So another brother and I took care of her those last few months. But on June 13th, she passed away.

I cried for her, knowing how happy she would have been to have seen Barak's speech last night.

I guess my point is, too often we take the very elderly for granted.

Last night, when I was at a local bar at a convention watch party, I noticed that of all the people that were there, about half were over 50, and about half were under 30. Almost no one in that 30-50 years range. What happened to that generation?

[arthritisR_US]

122. Stephanie Miller read this on her show this morning..I had to redo my makeup. n/t

[Island Blue]

123. I was at work when I heard her read it.

I started crying, which of course, prompted the phone to ring.

Many thanks to the OP for sharing your story.