Ms. Myrtle

I tried really hard (REALLY hard) to make it out of the doctor's office before letting the emotions come. I told myself if I could just make it to the parking lot without breaking down, then I would be good.

That did not happen.

Ryan and I listened to the doctor word for word, digesting all the information that was being spoken to us. We asked the questions that came to mind, and that was that. In barely 10 minutes, we were out of the exam room and sitting in the waiting room chairs awaiting being called to the next available counters to schedule treatment.

I was fine until sitting in the chair, I looked to my right and made eye contact with my fiancé sitting there. We both had masks on since we were in a medical facility, so only eyes were visible at this point. Something about that eye contact caused my inner "strong self" to crack piece by piece. The longer I held eye contact with Ryan, both of our eyes retelling the story our ears just heard from the doctor, the more glassy my eyes became and the tears began to fall.

Before my 2nd tear could fully hit the brim of my mask, there was a gentle hand that reached out and grasped mine. I looked to my left and saw this older African-American woman beside me, gripping my hand for support. She looked at me and said, "It's goin to be alll right honey. It's gonna be alright." Without skipping a beat she introduced herself:

Woman: "My name is Myrtle, what's your name?" as she never let go of my hand

Me: Barely able to speak, chocking my tears away, I shakily responded, "Jordan."

Then before I could realize what was happening, and after she asked for permission to touch me (which of course I shook my head yes even though she was already holding my hand), Myrtle began to pray. At a voice level that was only audible for me in my chair to hear, I began to hear this woman talk to God as if she as standing right in front of Him. Her prayer was BOLD, with such a fervent passion directing her breath. I can only equate the experience to that of the movie, "War Room" and equivalent force that is behind those prayers spoken by the women in the movie. Myrtle was making a tangible DECLARATION to the Lord, felt through her spirit. It was in that moment that I knew I was not alone and would not be for this journey ahead. A true saint of the King was so moved by the Holy Spirit I believe, and was specifically placed in that waiting room chair beside mine. Confidently ready to deliver a comforting prayer of intercession and praise on behalf of a sister in Christ.

The two older ladies to the left of Myrtle began offering tissues to Ryan to hand to me and suddenly I began to realize that none of us were strangers in that room, we were a family of believers.

As I was called up to the window for appointment processing and Myrtle finished her processing, making moves to leave the check-out area, she made sure to come to my chair, grip my shoulder and say, "Now I'm never going to forget you Miss Jordan. May God bless you," and with that she left through the door.