Benilde Bennie Montoya

Bennie.... what an absolutely beautiful and genuine soul. I had the opportunity to take care of Bennie while she was in the hospital a few months ago. I vividly remember getting to work bright and early and finding the nurse who took care of her overnight to get report. As he began his report- no exaggeration - the first words out of his mouth were, "this lady is just incredible." I looked at him, halfway expecting this to be sarcasm, and he had this look of sheer adoration in his eyes. He continues updating me on Bennie's hospitalization, plan of care, lab results, etc., and we walk into Bennie's room at the end of the hallway, and sure enough, Bennie is sitting at the edge of the bed and greets us with an enormous smile on her face- a smile that I will never in a million years forget. To be honest, the most common response to 2 loud nurses walking into a hospital room at 7AM is, "Can I please get some more sleep?" while throwing the covers over their head (and I can't say I blame them!). Not Bennie... Bennie radiated positivity, happiness and love. She was an incredibly strong woman, who didn't allow her health and her circumstances to make her bitter, but rather, it made her stronger. It made her more appreciative. It made her love harder and embrace the world in full force. It made her spread joy and that contagious smile and laugh of hers. Over the next few days, I was fortunate enough to have Bennie as a patient. Over those 3 days, her strength and determination could not have been more evident. Jerrie, her beautiful wife, was at the bedside every second she was able to. Jerrie was encouraging her, cracking jokes, helping her, loving on her. I remember just looking at Jerrie and Bennie interact and thinking - ‘dang, that's real love. If the world had more Bennie's and more Jerrie's and more couples like them, the world would be a better place.' Their love was a genuine, pure, wholehearted kind of love - one you see in movies but you don't truly believe they exist in real life. I'm here to tell you they do - because I witnessed it between these two. It was evident in their actions, in their communication, in the way they looked at each other that they were best friends...soulmates. Jerrie was a rock for Bennie, and Bennie would be the first to admit it. Having the chance to spend a few days with Bennie is time I will forever cherish. In the couple of days I spent with her, I learned more about life, positive attitude, and choosing happiness regardless of circumstances than I ever thought I could learn in a lifetime. All of Bennie's friends and family, especially Jerrie, are in my thoughts and prayers. Rest In Peace, sweet angel. Your mark on this world will never fade