I'm not sure why this memory popped into my mind but it's a great one to share. Years ago, Natalie was hospitalized with an illness. We are so blessed to have Primary Children's Medical Center right here in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is a premiere hospital in the United States, with 'cutting edge' medical knowledge, specifically for children.
I left Natalie's room and went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. As I walked down the hallway, I noticed the many children, in the different rooms, with their own various health struggles. I walked by one particular room and as I passed by, the young child occupying that room looked right at me. Her eyes were gentle and a large smile enveloped her face and I knew at that moment that my heart had been touched to the very core. I was impressed that even during the difficult time, for this child, there was still room for happiness that she shared with me. It made 'our situation' seem very small.
There are angels around us who watch out for us and help in times of need. I believe that those angels are members of our family, friends that care for our well-being, and neighbors that just want to do something thoughtful and nice. They are busy doing good because it's the right thing to do, nothing more and nothing less. I believe that acts of kindness are happening all the time.
When you think that you are the only one with struggles and challenges, remember that there are others who are burdened with things much greater than your own. They are like the young child in the hospital, that through the pains and struggles of mortality, was able and willing to give me, a total stranger, a smile of encouragement that everything was going to be alright.
No matter the challenge, there is the surety that everything will work out. That has been true in every situation in my life. It will continue to be true because that's the way it was designed to be.
Showing posts with label Hospital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hospital. Show all posts
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
The Power of Giving.
Our daughter was hospitalized as an infant with an illness. I had a good job but I had no time that I could use to leave work and be helpful to my wife at the hospital. Becky spent many hours at the hospital with our daughter.
I worked with a woman who was very kind and she and I had built a friendship that was solid. She was much older than I was and she led a hard lifestyle to what I was used to. I really enjoyed her 'hard' personality and the way she spoke bluntly about everything. I had shared with her that our daughter had been hospitalized. She kept pretty good tabs on the situation, asking me what the latest details were. I came into work one day and she asked me how our daughter was and if there was progress being made. I told her that there was progress. She then asked me why I was at work and not up at the hospital. I told her that I didn't have any sort of leave that I could use to be there but that Becky was there and that made me feel good inside. A few minutes later, my friend Diane, handed me five twenty dollar bills and told me that she would pay for the day of work and she hoped that I would take leave ,without pay, and go to the hospital to give Becky a break. I couldn't believe it! I assured her that I would go and I gave her a hug and thanked her for her generosity.
A few years ago, my friend Diane, suddenly passed away. I was asked to speak at her funeral. One of the very first things I thought of speaking about was her generosity during a period of time when we were financially strapped and struggling with the stresses of a hospitalized child. I told the congregation of people assembled that day how grateful I was for the love that she showed to me and my little family.
Sometimes the simplest gestures go a very long way, especially when the stress level is high for someone that is going through a tough time in their life.
I continue to try and look for opportunities to lift the burdens of a people who need the help of another.
Diane was good at anticipating the needs that we had, and then acting in a quick, concise manner. That ought to be our sincere goal.
I worked with a woman who was very kind and she and I had built a friendship that was solid. She was much older than I was and she led a hard lifestyle to what I was used to. I really enjoyed her 'hard' personality and the way she spoke bluntly about everything. I had shared with her that our daughter had been hospitalized. She kept pretty good tabs on the situation, asking me what the latest details were. I came into work one day and she asked me how our daughter was and if there was progress being made. I told her that there was progress. She then asked me why I was at work and not up at the hospital. I told her that I didn't have any sort of leave that I could use to be there but that Becky was there and that made me feel good inside. A few minutes later, my friend Diane, handed me five twenty dollar bills and told me that she would pay for the day of work and she hoped that I would take leave ,without pay, and go to the hospital to give Becky a break. I couldn't believe it! I assured her that I would go and I gave her a hug and thanked her for her generosity.
A few years ago, my friend Diane, suddenly passed away. I was asked to speak at her funeral. One of the very first things I thought of speaking about was her generosity during a period of time when we were financially strapped and struggling with the stresses of a hospitalized child. I told the congregation of people assembled that day how grateful I was for the love that she showed to me and my little family.
Sometimes the simplest gestures go a very long way, especially when the stress level is high for someone that is going through a tough time in their life.
I continue to try and look for opportunities to lift the burdens of a people who need the help of another.
Diane was good at anticipating the needs that we had, and then acting in a quick, concise manner. That ought to be our sincere goal.
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