Best Bampi Ever

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Little 6 year old me…

In the hospital for weeks with that ruptured appendix…became family…with those in the intensive care unit…the daughter who’s father had a severe heart attack…the parents who’s teenage son…was in a car accident…the now paralyzed teen…at the end of the hall…these friends would stop by…with kind words and little gifts…healing me…would take a wheelchair ride around the unit…the nurse stopping…so we could chat…with the teen…in traction…

Outside guests were limited…that mother of mine…and her father…the only two allowed to visit…and here’s where it began…the 50 year mouse collecting adventure…that grandfather of mine…sitting daily by the bedside…telling stories…singing silly songs…brought in two treasures…from the gift shop…a nurse…and a patient…him christening the nurse Ginger…the name of the sweetest…most lovely nurse on the ward of which…little me…was in awe…

The other…was named…after sick little me…that tag…soon removed once returning home…brave little me…not humored to be compared…with a bawl baby figurine…but this old gal wishes…that tag…was still attached…can still picture it…dainty green Mouse Village front…flip it over…her name…written…in the hand…of that special man…in her little life…

Supporting…encouraging…comforting…and unbeknownst to him…kicking off fifty years…of anything resembling a mouse…collecting fun…
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And those relatives of mine…would agree…