Pharmacist remembers Dr. A.D. Brookreson

To the Editor:

A few nights ago in Speak Out there was an old patient of Dr. A. D. Brookreson's lamenting the fact that he was gone. That dear man's description of Dr. A. D. would be the same if written by any of his former patients. After reading this commentary about a fine physician and good man I felt the need to add a few more words about my dear friend, Davis Brookreson.

I knew Dr. A. F. Brookreson before I got to know his son, Dr. A. D. Brookreson. Dr. A. F. was one of the most beloved physicians our town enjoyed in my 50 years here as a pharmacist, and Dr. Davis picked up his torch and made it brighter.

I was honored to be one of the speakers at Dr. Brookreson's service and I took note of the facts that he treated the poorest of the poor with the same kind of attention as he did the more prosperous. He made each of us feel as if we were his only patient and felt confident that we would be cared for by medicine and a smile or sometimes a hug. There were many times that people felt insignificant in this fast moving world and Dr. Brookreson helped them find significance. He once told me with a twinkle in his eye that he sometimes was smiling because in his mind he was casting a fishing plug toward a river bank causing him to smile while listening to some patient talk about their pains.

His gentle hands reflected his gentle personality, and he understood that it was necessary for a physician to touch his patients not only with his hands but with his kindness.

Unfortunately Dr. Brookreson was among a few of a dying breed, those authentic family physicians that made us feel loved.

The old drug salesmen loved this kind man because he always took time to hear them out. He saw the value in not only what they could teach him but also the value of a friend that made his day a little brighter.

There will never be a better teacher of bedside manner than Dr. A. D. Brookreson. Many young physicians learned that important facet of their profession from him.

On a personal note Davis taught me to be more patient, tolerant and understanding. He taught me to never grow old but to continue to see puppy dogs and bunny rabbits in the cloud formations. He taught me to always slow up when someone was expecting you, (which he seldom did). He taught me the value in prayer and forgiveness. He taught me that it is better to console than to be consoled. However the most important lesson I learned from my friend was that laughter is the best medicine.

May you resting in the presence of the Greatest Physician old friend. Pray for us as you walk with Him. I will miss you in so many ways, but my faith tells me that we will laugh together again.

Jim Dille

Poplar Bluff, Mo.