Tuesday, December 27, 2005

 
The Present..

I don’t even know how to start this story. Have you ever had a really humbling experience? For me, the one that comes to mind is having my foot washed by the priest during Holy Thursday services. There was a group of us (12 or 13?)…sitting on chairs in a circle . In the middle of the circle is the priest with a basin of water on his knees, and slowly he begins washing of the feet. I felt as if I should do it, not him.

Humbling experiences have a way of touching your soul in an uncomfortable way. You feel unworthy. There’s no warm peaceful feeling.

I work in a hospital, my job is that of an Advocate for the Patients. Over the past few years I have come to know many people. Some by name, some just to say hello. Where ever I am, in or out of the hospital, if I see someone I know, I say “hello”, and smiles come naturally.

There is a man whom I have seen quite often at the hospital and around the community. He’s in his mid to late seventies. He’s usually working odd jobs: raking leaves or cutting lawns. I see him going around looking for empty cans and bottles. Where ever I am, if I run in to him, I say “Hi!” He usually likes to chit chat and tell me something of what he is doing, or what is knew in his church (his pastor is 90 years old), whose lawn he’s raking, etc, etc.

My office is not at the hospital, but today I was working at the hospital in the Advocate office. I had fifty million things going on: reports not producing, patient issues and concerns, yada yada yada . In the middle of this, this gentleman passes by, sees me in the office and comes in and sits down. I am thinking to myself “Oh….not today…..I have too much work to get done.” However, I smile and half listen to his story…the other half of me wishing he would leave. After 5 minutes or so….he gets up, we say our good byes….and he’s gone.

I remember thinking to myself “ I am glad he left”. Approximately 10 minutes later, he returns. My mind goes “now what?” Fortunately, my mouth stayed shut, and I smiled. He came back to bring me a box of chocolate. The best way to describe my feelings is to say I felt very humble. I certainly was not worthy of this kind man’s thoughtful gift. I realize that sometimes in life, one must accept a gift and be very gracious. So…that is what I did.

He said it was his feeling that every woman should be given a box of chocolate. I thanked him and I gave him a hug. He was smiling and said goodbye.

Then I thought to myself….”Lord, let me be a better person. Let me give people all my attention. Lord next time you want to send me a box of candy, let me be worthy of it.”
posted by Maggie 12/27/2005 10:18:00 PM