An Analysis Of Becki Hawkins Story: Brother

Becki Hawkins’ story about Brother Tolbert, a Pentecostal Minister, hit home with me. He was an elderly gentleman who had heart and lung damage from chemo and radiation. She went to visit him by request of his second wife. While Becki was with Brother Tolbert, he asked her if she could get him into his bed so he could look out at the church and an old tree right outside of the window. He knew his time was up, and accepted it. He told his wife he loved her and had to go, but would soon see her again. He then asked Becki if she would see all the angels around them in the room. Becki said no, but tell me about it. He did and pointed out where they were in the room. He then reached out and said, ‘My Lord’ and passed away (Hawkins, 2012). This story reminded me of a gentleman I took care of while working at a nursing home. His name was Brother Boni and he was a Monk. He was the sweetest guy. He always wore a red hat and had the rosiest cheeks. Whenever you saw him, he had a crooked toothed grin on his face and would pat your hand as you walked by. He too had a special thing to look at in his room. It was an angel on a pedestal at the end of the bed. He just recently

(As I typed that last paragraph I choked up.) It is happy and sad memories, but I know in my heart I did the right thing to respect his wishes. Becki incorporated Christian discipleship in her experiences by doing what the individual wanted her to do. She sat and listened with a kind heart. In Becki’s story about him seeing all the angels, she said, “Was he hallucinating? Not in my books. I believed that man. He gave me another new hope that made me understand how indeed holy that ground is when we are with those loved ones that are transitioning.” (Hawkins, 2012). She wanted to understand what they were experiencing and gain a newfound knowledge from it. I can do the same thing in my practice, just like I done with Brother