Written by: Amber Decheine
Business Office Manager
In the chaos of everyday life sometimes you forget to stop and reflect. On the afternoon of May 5, 2016, I watched in amazement at the power another person can have on someone else. Let me take a step back and tell you a little background. Little Sisters of the Poor has a Resident who is a Priest; this Resident adores Susan Boyle; that’s right, the international superstar second runner up on “Britain’s Got Talent” – Susan Boyle. This Resident watches Susan Boyle on the television all of the time (at least I’m positive that is what his family, friends, and caregivers will tell you). Recently, the Resident’s family purchased the Resident tickets to a charity event happening in Minnesota so he could actually go and watch Susan Boyle sing live! Unfortunately, the Resident’s health declined and he wasn’t going to be able to go see Susan Boyle.
Here is where the miracle happened for this Resident. Our Activities Assistant reached out to Susan Boyle’s team and through the power of prayer – Susan Boyle decided to come and see this Resident. I waited with anticipation in the Resident’s room so we could capture images of this moment. The Resident was watching Susan Boyle on the television, and decided he did not want Susan to see him watching her; the anticipation was building, tears of absolute joy were flowing, and Susan would arrive any moment.
The moment was here, Susan came through the Resident’s bedroom door; at that very moment time stood still. That is when it happened; Susan Boyle got down on her knees, bowed her head and prayer, and received a special blessing from the Resident. The room and hallway started to fill with raw emotions; there was not a dry eye on the 2nd floor. Mother Maria Francis had everyone step out of the room so that the Resident and Susan could have a private moment. Through the door, we could hear her singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow”; Kleenex became mandatory. The time this Resident spent with Susan was priceless, and I believe the same could be said for the time Susan spent with the Resident. We learned while we were waiting that Susan left a photoshoot to come and see this Resident; she needed this moment as much as he did.
Susan stayed, and visited our Art Show, which featured Art made by our Residents. Everyone was overjoyed when Susan sang “I Dreamed a Dream”. As she flawlessly sang, her eyes brightened, she was uplifted by the Lord; her eyes remained fixated on the Resident she came to see – she even pointed to him during the song. Before she left, Susan gifted the Resident with the music note scarf she was wearing. One of the Sisters gifted Susan with a painting she created of the Minnesota state bird, the loon.
It was a reminder of how amazing God is, and the majesty of his presence. Those of us who witnessed this powerful interaction, were enlightened. Remember, to take a moment reflect, give thanks and praise, God will always lighten the path.
Susan Boyle meets Suzi Boyles.
He had a Dream and International Sensation Susan Boyle made it come true