September 2019
Exactly five years ago, our health-conscious, extraordinarily active, and highly independent 77-year-old father suffered a small stroke while leaving the gym from a workout. After being admitted to one of the best medical institutions in the country, he then suffered a second life-altering stroke overnight that went unnoticed by healthcare professionals until it was too late. The following morning he was life-flighted to another hospital in Houston and underwent surgery to try to reverse the effects of the strokes. By that point, however, a great deal of damage had been done to his body.
After months of bedside care and several stints in various rehab hospitals, the outcome was full loss of movement to the entire left side of his body. He also lost 50% vision in both of his eyes.
While his life changed forever, the greatest blessing was that he retained his mental acuity and personality. He remained the father we know and love in so many ways, but a new version who needed help 24/7. It was a far cry from the strong figurehead we had known all of our lives. Grieving the loss of that former version of him, while still rejoicing in the man we have before us has been something none of my three siblings and I would have ever expected.
However, it’s evident, at every twist and turn of this chapter of our dad’s life, that God has not only directed but also protected our father. Challenges have arisen, yes, but there are so many incredible miracles and joyous moments borne from this experience.
Caregivers to the Rescue
One of the greatest blessings is the addition of many warm-hearted, talented, and kind caregivers who have all loved and cared for our father as if he was their own. Their assistance has been a lifeline for not just him, but also for us - his four adult children and our mom. We couldn’t have taken care of him properly without years of help from this precious army of home health workers.
Meet Sandra
One of our dad’s favorite caretakers is a woman named Sandra. We found out about her services through a friend of our sister, Priscilla. Because of Priscilla’s experience and vast connections in the world of healthcare and nursing in Houston, a dear friend recommended Priscilla reach out to Sandra to see if she could start caring for our dad part-time.
Sandra first began assisting our dad in the late part of 2019. While initially resistant, our dad quickly learned to love her. Within weeks, he had nicknamed her ‘mi madre’ because she cared for him like a mother would. And shortly after, our family asked Sandra to work full-time to care for our dad.
It’s been almost five years of knowing Sandra and watching the loving and protective way she cares for our father. We often refer to Sandra as an angel because we simply cannot imagine anyone on earth being as diligent, kind, patient, strong, and hardworking as she is – every single day.
LEFT: AUG 2022 | After an intense week-long hospital stay, our dad was so happy to be home and to see his family, and of course, Sandra again.
RIGHT: JUL 2024 | Sandra helps our dad with everything, even making phone calls to friends after lunch.
Sandra + Our Mom
Her care extends beyond just our father, too. Most notably, in May 2023, our sweet mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. What followed in the next six months for our mom was absolutely unimaginable – pain, complications, hospital stays, and more. In the midst of this, all of our dad’s caregivers - and especially Sandra - took on more work by caring for our mom WHILE ALSO caring for our dad.
Even with four grown children at our parents’ house every day to help with the load, there was always more to do and more work than we could handle. All of the caregivers stepped up, took on new tasks, and even emotionally supported my siblings and me as we navigated each day of our parents’ health and well-being.
When our mother passed away in October of 2023, Sandra grieved alongside us as family. She knew our mom very well, having spent countless hours in our home, helping her, cooking with her, and doing many projects together.
After we lost our mom, Sandra also immediately took on even more roles to help us - the children. Laundry, cooking, tending to our pets – anything she could do, she did. And she continues to do so to this day.
Sandra has said many times that one of the last things our mother said to her was, “Please take care of my husband and children for me.”
Our mom was one of the greatest mothers of all time. It is evident that Sandra works day after day to fulfill our mother’s last request – something that speaks volumes of her character and her heart.
Sandra’s Birthday Gift: Created by AI
This past August was Sandra’s birthday. In typical Barnes family fashion, we prepared a little party for her of gifts, flowers, and a homemade dessert. While many of these little at-home celebrations seem so empty without our mom present, we try to make the best of them and celebrate in the way our mom loved to as a little family unit.
Sandra isn’t one for lots of attention, so this year, I tried to think of a special way we could show our gratitude for the impact she’s had on our lives over the years.
My idea was simple: feed ChatGPT a little bit of background about Sandra, our family, and our situation; then, ask it to write a poem for her in honor of her birthday.
Although I have dabbled in using ChatGPT a few times for work, my expectations of the overall output for this niche and emotionally-driven request were low.
However, those expectations were shattered the moment the poem registered on my screen. Even more special, I asked ChatGPT to translate the poem into Spanish, Sandra’s native language, so she could have both versions.
The result: tears were shed and hearts were moved.
So What's the Takeaway?
While the purpose of this post isn’t necessarily to advocate for ChatGPT or to serenade the brilliance of AI, I do consider this a small yet fascinating case study into the extent to which AI can be used AND how it can go far beyond work utility. I didn't realize until this exercise that AI can truly harness things like vivid storytelling, evoking emotion, and more.
It is my opinion, especially given the business that I am in, that creative writing and human talent in both communication and art can never be fully replaced. But it is fascinating to know that a series of machine learning outputs created something that brought grown adults to tears.
So my next question is, what else can it do?
While we figure out the answer to that question, enjoy these heartfelt poems for our dear Sandra written by our favorite tender-hearted bot 🤖.
To Sandra, Our Loving Caregiver
a poem by ChatGPT
In our home, a heart so grand,
Is Sandra, with her gentle hand.
From El Salvador, she came so far,
To care for El Guapo, our family’s star.
With laughter bright and spirit strong,
She’s been beside us all along.
Eight to five, from Monday through,
She knows just what El Guapo needs to do.
She helps him stand, she helps him walk,
With kindness in her every talk.
She knows his jokes, his charming grin,
And loves him more than just next of kin.
But Sandra’s love does not just end,
With Dad, our greatest, truest friend.
She cares for all—yes, every one,
From Sarah, Melissa, Priscilla, too, and John David, the youngest one.
And Captain, our Maltipoo, so sweet,
Gets cuddles every time they meet.
Sandra’s heart is open wide,
With love that never tries to hide.
And let’s not forget our big dogs’ might,
Hans and Wolfie, loyal knights.
With a wag and bark, they greet her near,
She loves them both, without a fear.
She held our mom close, Madolyn’s dear,
Through every laugh, and every tear.
We miss her still, but Sandra knows,
That love like theirs forever grows.
So here’s to Sandra, our dear friend,
On whom we all can just depend.
With every hug, and every cheer,
You make our home so warm and near.
Happy birthday, Sandra sweet,
With love and laughter, you complete
Our days with joy, our hearts with light,
With you, dear Sandra, all feels right.
A Sandra, Nuestra Cuidadora Querida
un poema de ChatGPT
En nuestro hogar, un corazón tan grande,
Es Sandra, con su mano tan amable.
Desde El Salvador, vino de tan lejos,
A cuidar a El Guapo, nuestro viejo.
Con risa alegre y espíritu fuerte,
Ha estado a nuestro lado sin suerte.
De ocho a cinco, de lunes a viernes,
Ella sabe lo que El Guapo siempre quiere.
Lo ayuda a pararse, lo ayuda a andar,
Con dulzura en cada hablar.
Conoce sus chistes, su sonrisa de galán,
Y lo ama más allá del clan.
Pero el amor de Sandra no termina aquí,
Con papá, nuestro amigo sin fin.
Cuida de todos—sí, a cada uno,
Sarah, Melissa, Priscilla, y John David, la última en el turno.
Y Captain, nuestro Maltipoo tan tierno,
Recibe abrazos en su invierno.
El corazón de Sandra es tan abierto,
Con amor que no tiene puerto.
Y no olvidemos a nuestros perros grandes,
Hans y Wolfie, fieles y andantes.
Con una cola y ladrido al acercarse,
Los ama a los dos, sin tener que esforzarse.
Ella amaba a mamá, Madolyn tan querida,
En cada risa y en cada herida.
La extrañamos, pero Sandra sabe,
Que un amor así nunca cabe.
Así que a Sandra, nuestra amiga querida,
En quien podemos confiar la vida.
Con cada abrazo y cada risa,
Haces nuestro hogar cálido y sin prisa.
Feliz cumpleaños, Sandra dulce y bella,
Con amor y risas, eres la estrella.
Nos llenas de alegría y luz cada día,
Contigo, querida Sandra, todo es armonía.
