
Ode to a caregiver
To you - beloved caregiver;
Who met me when we crossed the border,
Who has known me for a few weeks only,
Who somehow ended up sharing a refugee shelter with me;
I say thank you and I bow to you!
To you - beloved caregiver;
Who gave me love, acceptance and respect,
Who has cared for me endlessly and patiently,
Who has accepted my delusions, hallucinations, and aggressive behaviors;
I say thank you and I bow to you!
To you - beloved caregiver;
Who brought me for treatment at the MSF clinic,
Who struggled with me to take my medication,
Who brought me daily to MSF for my dose of antipsychotics;
I say thank you and I bow to you!
To you - beloved caregiver;
Who prepared meals and helped me take care of myself,
Who discussed my progress with the medical team,
Who never judges me;
I thank you and I bow to you!
For, without you, I would not be where I am today,
Stable and able to function,
Now knowing that some people in this world truly care,
And care without any expectations for return.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!