The Art Show, Southeast Hospital and Dr. David Crowe

Yesterday I went to the Art Show at Southeast Hospital.   The intention was to preview the photography which Dr. David Crowe had given to the hospital.   He had given 10 pieces which had been lapped up by donors and the donors were asked to preview the works.  I picked one of them that I wanted to give in memory of my brother, Dr. Jim Cooper, and I wanted it to be hung on the bare wall in front of the surgery wing of the hospital.   There will be an engraved etching by the side of it saying that it was given in his memory.

I want his name to be there on the wall so I can see it.  I want his name to be there so that my nephew, James Shelby, can see it.  And I want it to be there so that people from Mississippi County can walk out of that hospital surgery ward and remember him.   I don't know why that means something to me but it does.  It does because I know that he talked to the University and said, "I didn't go here but I am a Southeast Missouri boy and I want to do this!"   I intend to do something at Sikeston Hospital also because he worked there every summer and he loved Bill Critchlow and Max Heeb.  I can still remember when he came home and one of his

female classmates, can't remember her name right now, but she married a Babb, came in to have a baby and she yelled for Jim to get out of the hospital room..  She didn't want him to see her having a baby and seeing her baby parts.  He was furious at her.

I feel good about this gift.   Someone once said that you should spend your life doing things that will outlive it.  I intend to use my gift from Jim to find ways to honor him.   He deserves to be remembered!