The day started out beautifully…an early morning swim…languorous breakfast out on the deck overlooking the Caribbean. A visiting friend suggested we go get our Senior Citizens cards so we could enjoy some of the benefits of aging.
We showered, dressed and headed out to Human Services over by Vitraco Mall. We chatted, laughed, dropped cell calls in the dead zones along the way and arrived there in a jolly mood. Everyone we encountered helped us along the way to room 107 where Maria awaited our arrival.
Maria asked if we were the ones who had called earlier for information concerning paperwork we might need to bring. We answered in the affirmative and she guided us to her associate. The office they shared had a skylight with a lovely live tree reaching up to the light. Along the floor plants that were lovingly cared for radiated peace. For a government office this one was comfortable, welcoming and efficient.
In no time we were having our pictures taken and our new cards produced when a phone call changed the entire ambiance. Someone had called Maria to tell her Dr. Bishop had died in his office that morning.
Maria immediately went to work trying to verify the information…she asked us all to wait until we knew for sure that this wasn’t just a rumor. During the interim all five of us in the room talked about a man who had touched every single one of our lives.
To a person we all agreed he was humble, compassionate, modest, dedicated, conscientious and caring. He was our doctor. He had saved one of us in the room just the month before and she was heartbroken at the news when Maria confirmed it was not a rumor.
He had cared for our children, our husbands, our wives, our friends and us. He never rushed us in and out, he explained everything, showed us diagrams, drew pictures and spent as much time as we needed. He treated all of us the same. It didn’t matter who you were he respected all of us. He was our doctor.
To say we were all stunned by the news is an understatement. Dr. Bishop will be missed by the entire community. He touched so many lives in ways that will reverberate through out St. Croix for many years to come. Dr. Bishop we already miss you.
See ya next week.
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