He helped him while eating, washing and grooming, and when he was healthy enough took him out for a walk in the hospital’s garden. Then he would take him back to his room, help him change and put him in his bed. He would not leave until he saw the old man resting in his bed. One day a nurse went into his room, and told the old man ‘what a wonderful son you have – he is so kind and respectful. He doesn’t miss a day to come to see you. You are so lucky to have a son like him.’ The man closed his eyes and whispered to the nurse ‘how I wish he was my son! He is not my son, but an orphan I met years ago when he lived next to me and my wife. The first time I met him, he was around 8, and had just lost his father, and I hugged him and gave him some sweets. Then he disappeared and I didn’t know what happened to him. Several years later when he was grown up, a handsome young man, he came to live close to us again, and used to come to see me and my wife, both elderly by now. When I got sick, I had to come to the hospital and he took my wife to live with him, until I get better. As you see he comes to see me every day. Even though I feel embarrassed by his kindness, I am thankful for him. One day I asked him ‘why do you do this to me and my wife? Why do you love us so much?’ He answered me by saying ‘the taste of those sweets you gave me are still in my mouth!’
How often we complain about young people – but how often do we appreciate the wonderful things they do, sometimes without being asked. Like this young man, who was only reciprocating a simple kind deed done to him, many years ago! Such people can make everyone and everything around them so grateful and appreciative.
Tomorrow will be my 3000 post in this blog. I will review some of the most popular posts. Don't forget my first Blog from my time in Oregon started in 2012 which has 2,400 posts and which you can review here www.fatherjulian.blogspot.com
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