My name is Michael Norville. I am currently a graduate student at the University of South Florida. When I met Stan, I was a 22 year old pre med student, who had just graduated college, and had had an accident playing baseball. I broke my ankle and ended up with a blood clot in my leg and lung. I was staying in Citrus Memorial Hospital and thought I might be lucky enough to have a room to myself. You see, I had never stayed overnight in a hospital and was unaware of how quickly rooms can fill up. My nurse informed me I would be getting a roommate. Stan immediately introduced himself to me upon entering the room. From that point on I do not believe we had a quiet moment together in that room. I in no way mean to imply that that was a bad thing. Despite roughly 50 years of difference in age, being in a terrible setting, and constantly being poked and prodded by needles, Stan and I had become good friends.
I’ll never forget the night he couldn’t sleep. The nursing staff, like myself, really enjoyed talking to Stan. He could make you laugh and keep you talking for hours. So on this particular night in the hospital Stan had taken some sleeping medication, that didn’t have the desired effect. Instead he was wide awake. I talked to him until the early morning hours, at which time he went and had ice cream and talked to the nurses so I could get some sleep.
Without trying to Stan had made my first stay in a hospital, a normally traumatic event for a young person, into something far less scary. By talking and laughing with Stan I nearly completely forgot the gravity of the situation.
Stan asked me for my phone number the day he was released from the hospital. I was so happy to see he was doing better, but I was sad to see him go. Although, I think we both knew it wasn’t the last time we’d hear from each other. In fact, I wouldn’t even make it home before Stan called to check on me. That was the kind of person he was. Upon leaving the hospital several days later after fully recovering, I gave Stan a call and we had a nice conversation. He called me one additional time a month or so later.
I never had the chance to tell him what he had done for me, someone not even half his age, who he barely knew at the time. If I could, I’d tell him and I’d also let him know I was sorry I got so busy with school and didn’t get a chance to call a few more times. I will miss you Stan.
