Sadie POV
My fellow nurses greeted me as soon as i enter the nurse station. 
"goodmorning Sadie!" my friend Abby greeted me, she was the one who assisted me in my first time here. 
"goodmorning abby" i smiled at her and gets my folder to check my patients for today. as i was reading my patients info, my eyes focus on lolo ben's name. how is he doing right now? out of curiousity i asked about his birthday. He reminded me of my grandfather who passed away because of heart attack. 
"abby?" i called her name
"yes?" she replied 
"when is lolo ben's birthday?" i asked 
"uhm as far as i know it was on uhm... June 22, why?" she said 
"oh eh what day is today?" i asked. 
she looked at her watch "oh it was 21" she said.
As Abby mentioned Lolo Ben's birthday was the next day, June 22, my heart sank a little. The coincidence struck a chord within me, knowing that he reminded me so much of my late grandfather. It made me feel a deeper connection to him, as if fate had brought us together in some inexplicable way.
"I was just curious," I replied, trying to hide the emotions bubbling within me. "It's tomorrow, right? We should do something special for him."
Abby nodded, understanding the sentiment behind my suggestion. "That's a wonderful idea, Sadie. I'm sure he'd appreciate it, especially during this challenging time."
As the day progressed, I found myself thinking more and more about Lolo Ben and his upcoming birthday. In between attending to other patients, I tried to come up with a thoughtful surprise for him.
Later in the day, during a short break, I decided to visit a nearby bakery to pick up a small cake. It wasn't much, but I hoped it would bring a smile to Lolo Ben's face on his special day.When I returned to the hospital, I discreetly placed the cake in the staff lounge refrigerator, planning to surprise him later.
As the evening shift approached, Abby and I decided to decorate Lolo Ben's room with colorful balloons and a small banner, wishing him a happy birthday.
When the time came, we gathered outside Lolo Ben's room, holding the cake and singing a heartfelt rendition of "Happy Birthday" with the rest of the nursing staff joining in.
Pushing the door open, we found Lolo Ben looking surprised and touched by the impromptu celebration. His eyes welled up with tears of joy, and he had a soft smile that warmed my heart.
"Happy birthday, Lolo Ben!" I said, presenting the cake to him. "We wanted to make your day a little brighter."
He looked at all of us, the compassion and love shining through his tired eyes. "Thank you all," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "This means so much to me."
We spent a few moments chatting and sharing stories, making sure he felt appreciated and loved on his birthday. The atmosphere in the room was filled with warmth and camaraderie, something that always seemed to flourish in the midst of adversity.
As I looked around at my fellow nurses, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. The support and unity among us were incredible, and it made even the most challenging days a little easier to bear.
As the celebration wound down, I stayed by Lolo Ben's side a bit longer, talking to him about his life and experiences. In those moments, I realized how much our connection meant to both of us, as if we were helping each other heal in some unspoken way.
I was sitting beside him while he was telling a story about how his children prepared a suprise for him before, it was just a simple party but it meant a lot to him, now, that he was all alone i can't help but to feel sad for him. 
"Did they visit you earlier lolo?" i asked and he looked at me before looking away.
"They didn't, and i don't think they remember my birthday" he said.
My heart sank upon hearing Lolo Ben's words. It was evident that the thought of not being remembered by his children on his birthday weighed heavily on him. I could see the hint of sadness in his eyes, and it tugged at my heartstrings.
"I'm so sorry to hear that, Lolo Ben," I said softly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It must be tough not having them here with you."
He nodded, a mix of resignation and sorrow in his expression. "It's alright, my dear. I've come to understand that life moves on, and people get busy with their own lives."
I wanted to offer words of reassurance, but I knew that sometimes, silence was the best response. Instead, I sat there with him, letting him know through my presence that he wasn't alone.
As we continued talking, he shared more stories about his family and the cherished moments they had spent together. It was clear how much they meant to him, and it made me realize how precious our loved ones are, and how important it is to cherish the time we have with them.
"Lolo Ben," I said gently, "even if they couldn't be here today, I'm sure your children love you deeply. Life can be complicated, and sometimes people forget or get caught up in their responsibilities, but that doesn't diminish the love they have for you."
He looked at me, his eyes misty, and gave a small nod. "Thank you for saying that, my dear. You're right; it's just that sometimes, I can't help but feel lonely."
I understood his sentiment all too well. Loneliness could be a heavy burden to carry, especially in moments of vulnerability. "You're not alone, Lolo Ben," I reassured him. "We're here for you, and we care about you deeply."
In that moment, I felt a deep connection with him, not just as a nurse caring for a patient but as someone who could empathize with his feelings of loneliness and loss. I wanted to make him feel valued and loved, to show him that he mattered to us.
As the evening went on, I stayed by Lolo Ben's side, engaging in conversation and offering comfort whenever he needed it. I wanted him to know that he wasn't alone during this difficult time, and that we, as his caregivers, would do our best to fill the void left by his family's absence.In the days that followed, I made it a point to spend a little extra time with Lolo Ben, whether it was sharing stories, listening to his thoughts, or simply being a comforting presence. The bond between us grew stronger, and I found myself cherishing our time together just as much as he did.
He fell asleep, as i was staring at him. It hurts my feelings that he needs to suffer like that, he just want to be remembered by his children, why the fck did they abandon him? because he's old? what a bullshit reason. 
Lolo Ben doesn't deserve this. He deserves to be loved and cared. 
As I continued to care for Lolo Ben, I couldn't help but reflect on the lessons he had taught me about the importance of family, love, and the significance of being there for one another during life's most vulnerable moments. And I knew that, in some small way, I was able to make a difference in his life, just as he had made a lasting impact on mine.
As I left Lolo Ben's room that night, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment. It wasn't just about the birthday celebration; it was about the bond we had formed as caregivers and patients, reminding me once again of the profound impact we could have on each other's lives.I knew that the memory of that birthday celebration would stay with me for a long time, a reminder of the power of compassion and the meaningful connections that can blossom in the midst of life's challenges. And it reaffirmed my belief that being a nurse wasn't just a job; it was a privilege to walk alongside others during their most vulnerable moments and to offer comfort and care when they needed it most.