The power of Giving - Part 1 My wife is a perpetual consumer of inspirational media. She keeps on forwarding these media to me over the phone. Recently, she sent me a video that left me speechless. Mary was sick in the hospital, as she lay on the bed waiting for the specialist to come, she thought of how she had fought with the illness. She had been ill for a long time and the doctors in her hometown had decided to refer her to the city hospital as the last resort. She felt that her life was ebbing away. As she lay in the hospital bed awaiting the specialist to arrive, she felt as if all hope was gone. At last, the specialist arrived and started conducting his tests. "Doctor, she is so weak, we cannot operate on her." The head doctor said. "She does not need surgery," The specialist said. "There is a new drug that can cure her" He added. The woman was surprised. "Are you sure, doctor? She asked. The doctor nodded warmly. For two weeks, the woman was put on the medication and on the third week, the pain was gone and she regained her health back. The specialist was warm and kind. He would come every day to chat with her and she would tell him about her hometown where she was born and lived. He seemed to enjoy the stories. At last, the doctor discharged her. It was time to go home. "This illness had depleted all of our resources and insurance. I do not know how I will pay the bill." She opened up to the doctor. "Have faith ma'am. Your health first." the doctor said as he left. She sat on the hospital bed, her bag beside her. She knew that the bill was massive and she did not have a single cent to pay. "You can proceed to the billing department to clear, ma'am," the nurse said. She stood up and walked to the billing department. It was the longest walk she had ever walked and myriad thoughts crossed her mind. The cashier handed her the bill. It was $47,600! She almost collapsed. "How am I going to pay all this", she murmured. "It has all been paid." The cashier mentioned. "What? How?" She exclaimed. The cashier pointed to the man standing behind her. She turned and looked at the doctor. "Why would you pay my bill doctor? This is a big amount and I already owe you for saving my life?" She asked. The doctor looked at her and smiled. The doctors placed his hand on the shoulder and quietly walked with her to his office. He started his story; Mary, twenty years ago, we were so poor. My mum had just died and I used to live with my grandmother upcountry. My granny was old and we could hardly survive on her pension. At 11 years, I decided to start selling magazines in the community. I used to walk far and the work was very tiring. Right at the corner of the town, there was a young woman who used to sell juices. I would pass by and wave at her and she would happily offer me a glass of juice and tell me; "Joe, this will take you through, till we meet tomorrow." Mary gasped, her eyes filled with tears. The doctor continued. One day, my granny collapsed and died and I was put into the hands of a very loving foster family. The couple took me in and brought me up like their own. My life completely changed. When I heard that there was a patient from Bellevue, I remembered my childhood. I never went back to Bellevue and my curiosity made me yearn to hear more about the place. When I saw you, I recognized you. The woman that gave me juice for months, all for free, and gave me hope to look forward to tomorrow. He spread his arms and hugged Mary and whispered. "Mary, this will see you through till we meet again." Mary held Joe tightly for about three minutes. She was sobbing heavily and she never imagined that the simple acts of kindness that she extends to people in need, will ever get paid. As she sobbed on Joe's shoulders, she remembered another miracle that had happened to her a few years back. "Do you want some coffee?" She asked Joe as she dried her tears. "Sure. I can do with some" he answered. They walked together to the cafeteria, hand in hand. Joe felt a bit uncomfortable, but Mary was calm and happy. She looked at him and smiled. Joe smiled back. At the cafeteria, Mary spotted a seat at the furthest corner and briskly pulled Joe towards it. "God has been working miracles to me." She mentioned as they settled on their seats. "Two coffees please!" She ordered. They sat there silently as they sipped the coffee. Mary broke the silence. "I miss my family and my town. It has been a while since I strolled on those streets. Would you come visit me once you get some time? I will be so happy and I will tell you a story that will thrill you a lot" Mary took his hand and squeezed it. He nodded. She stood up and spread her arms for an embrace. Joe gave her a big embrace. She wiped her tears, took her bag on the ground and hoisted it on her back. With her right hand still squeezing Joe's hand, she sobbed and said; "Thank you Joe. God bless you. See you there soon" She let his hand, stepped back and left. Joe stood there transfigured. She felt strange. She felt overwhelmed with affection and at that moment, he missed his mother. |
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This blog post was published on 05 Feb 2020 in Inspiration category. Access all the posts at Blog |