Ever so humble

Cicero will be the first man to admit that humility and Marcus Tullius Cicero are not words that you will see together too often. This is not to say that Cicero is arrogant, well at least we hope not, but not many would describe Cicero as humble. 

And as regular readers of these words will testify, Cicero is often quick to criticise, to lampoon and to pass judgement. Especially if you do a job funded by the taxpayer.

And yet these are some of the very people who in recent weeks and months have humbled Cicero. Indeed they have inspired the Old Man today to write this eulogy to the selfless dedication, humanity and genuine warmth of those who man (assuming of course that Harry Harperson has not banned this word)  the wards in our hospitals, our nurses.

Over the last few weeks Cicero has spent more time than he would have liked in hospital. There is no need to fear-Cicero remains hale and hearty and will be the scourge of nonsense for years to come. It was not Cicero who needed the ministrations of our Health Service but someone far older and ancient than he, whose time on this green and pleasant land was drawing slowly and gently to its natural end.

And in the course of this Cicero witnessed and marvelled at the actions and behaviours who daily toil among the dying and the sick. Few, in Cicero’s daily experience, exhibit such compassion, gentleness and understanding on such a sustained basis.

Not only do they tend to the dying to ensure their last days and hours are as comfortable as possible but they also care for the needs of the living, those who will be left behind. Tears were shared, the anguish heard, pain assuaged.

We, mere mortals, will do this a few times in our life. They do it every day but they do it as if this was the first time, as if you were the only one going through this. And this is truly something to marvel at, to laud and to recognise.

And in the middle of the night, when the final moments come, and you are still on the road to the hospital, they will ensure that no one shuffles off this mortal coil alone. They will be there with a gentle stroke of the hand, a kind word, a soft light.

They care. They understand. They humble.

So let’s hear it for Britain’s nurses and for all they do to tend to the dying, the poorly and the living. And may they be an example to us all. They are to Cicero.

Have a great week.

Sis felix. Et sis fortunatus.