Emma Jo

As I told you last week, I have a really great story to tell you about. 

I’ve been visiting a Hospice patient, Emma Jo Crain for several months now.  I’ve really gotten to know Emma Jo well; she has her doctorate in Special Education, two children, and two grand children.  I’m always excited when I get to visit Emma Jo (especially since she shares her snacks with me!).  Emma Jo clears a spot for me on her bed and I like to hop up and lay next to her. 

While on Hospice, Emma Jo also has a Nurses & Company Hospice social worker who visits with her and talks with her.  Jennifer, the social worker, was talking to Emma Jo about receiving her doctorate in Special Education and what that meant to her in the 70’s, when it was discovered that Emma Jo wasn’t able to walk in her gradation ceremony due to an illness.  After all her hard work at school, she wasn’t able to receive her doctoral hood and her diploma was sent to her via snail mail.  So the Hospice Team and I put our heads together and decided to have a very special graduation ceremony for Emma Jo. 

As plans began to fall in place, the graduation ceremony grew so much bigger than we ever expected.  Dr. James Francko, Dean of the University of Alabama’s graduate school was going to travel to St. Peters to officially conduct the graduation ceremony, complete with the official hood.  For weeks I visited with her before the ceremony and we discussed plans and who would be attending, Dr. Crain couldn’t hide her excitement. 

Finally, on June 18^th, Emma Jo Crain received her doctoral hood, something she had been waiting for for 32 years! I was able to surprise Emma Jo (excuse me I mean Dr. Crain) by presenting here with a certificate of acknowledgement from Nurses & Company. Mom tied the certificate to my collar so I was sure not to get it wet. The now official Dr. Crain was thrilled.  We were all crying with tears of joy!  I’m so lucky to work for such a great organization that will do this for their Hospice patients. 

Paws,

Kozzy

PS: Check out my picture! That's Emma Jo with Dr. Francko.