Before I get into the meat of what I really want to write about today, let’s do a blast to the past. (You’ll see in a moment how this flashback sets the stage for what I want to say.) Flash back to last September 2008. The new school semester had started. It was a beautiful warm fall day.
I stepped into the restroom that is right by my office. A girl lay sprawled on the floor, arm flung over her eyes. Now, out in the hallway, students sit on the floor and study as they wait for their next class. Eyes heavy from lack of sleep from the night before and from reading engaging textbooks cause students to slumber on the floor with their head pillowed by their backpacks. This sight, I’m used to seeing. But a girl laying on the floor in the bathroom is not normal in my book.
I asked her if she was okay. She said that she was feeling sick. I asked her what I could do to help. She said that she had called the campus EMTs (emergency medical technician) and assured me she would be fine.
I did my business and left the bathroom.
I stood just inside my office doorway waiting to see if the EMTs really were coming. In my book of definitions, EMT stands for there’s-an-emergency-come-as-fast-as-you-can-if-not-faster. I waited. And waited. When they hadn’t come in what I thought was an appropriate amount of time, I called them myself.
Come to find out, they had just chatted with the girl over the phone. Their phone diagnosis was that she was dehydrated and should go to the student health center. I went back to the bathroom to check on the girl. She said she had called a friend to pick her up and take her to the health center. She needed to go meet her friend.
She tried to stand but was very light headed. I helped her up and offered to walk with her to help steady her and to make sure she got to her friend without passing out. We had only left the building and walked a little way when she said she thought she was going to throw up. Which she promptly did.
I gave her a tissue to wipe her face. (I never leave home without one.) Just at that moment, her friend (a nice, strappling young man) showed up. Leaning on him for support, they continued down the sidewalk, to his car, and off to the health center. I made sure the vomit got cleaned up and went back to my office.
Now, to what I want to say.
This week in my little mail cubbyhole at work, I got a bright lime green envelope. I opened it up and read the card:
Nina,
I just wanted to thank you for your Christlike example. Ever since I started working at our office, I’ve noticed all the kind acts of service you give. Numerous times you’ve helped girls in the bathroom or who are sick and you are always so willing to go out of your way to help someone in need. I just wanted to let you know that I look up to you and admire you a great deal. Thank you for always being respectful and understanding with the receptionists. We appreciate it a lot. Thank you again for your example.
Maggie
I share this card’s message not to suggest that I’m a wonderful person (I’m hardly that!) but to explain it’s impact it had on me.
First, it brought to my collective memory all of these sick girls. I thought, I must be a vomit magnet. Do I have a sign on my back that says: Bring me your poor, your sick, your nauseated, and I will take care of them.
Then, the message humbled me. I hadn’t realized that Maggie was watching me, watching how I treated others. I didn’t realize I was making an impact on her life. I’m grateful that for this one time my influence was for good.
It also strongly reinforced my belief in this universal truth: Being of service to others brings lasting inner peace. While many search for happiness by purchasing expensive homes they can’t afford, or buying cars or boats or SUVs, or indulging in alcohol or drugs, true happiness cannot be found in possessions. It can’t be found in indulging in self-centered self pleasing activities. It’s only by reaching out to those in need, serving and helping those less fortunate, thinking of others instead of yourself that lasting happiness comes.
It doesn’t matter what religion you belong to. It doesn’t matter if you don’t belong to a specific religion. It doesn’t even matter if you are atheist or agnostic. This truth is as universal as is the law of gravity.
I also realized how sweet and nice it was to have an actual hold-in-my-hand-written-on-a-physical-piece-of-paper card that said thank you. E-cards are cute and nice and oh so easy to send. But in today’s world, taking time to actually write a thank you note is extra special and meaningful. This card touched my life. It lifted me. It brightened my day. I will keep it for a long time.
Maggie, thank YOU!