New Slant 

Last Thanksgiving I had the opportunity for my "thankful" list to grow.I had always been thankful for my family, good health, material comforts, friends, job and the country I live in, but I was soon to learn there are people who surround you each day, giving you acts of kindness and displaying patience and gentleness in remarkable ways.

Early in November my mother in law was admitted to the hospital for some testing. We thought an overnight stay would be the maximum, but we were sadly surprised. The testing was completed and analyzed, but the doctor was quite concerned. It seems other medical problems were uncovered, and then, much to our dismay, she was bombarded with one medical calamity after another.

Each day when I visited her, I was confronted by new doctors, nurses, aides, technicians, therapists, and lab personnel. I also met receptionists and chaplains. I saw custodians working with a smile, and food service personnel deliver three meals a day with a pleasant word. It is from this setting I drew my new slant on thankfulness . For each person who took the time to share a special touch, sit on the side of her bed and listen with sincere interest, show concern for her needs as a real person- not just a patient on a chart, and who brought wonderful rays of sunshine into her dismal stay in the hospital – I am thankful. For each one who entered her room with a pleasant smile, a note of cheer in his voice and time to give her a special hug, I thank God. For all who performed above and beyond simply doing a job, I rejoice.

It was so encouraging to see the patient-the one who was not willing to give up or say I quit-who was willing to try anything the doctors recommend and stay remarkably pleasant throughout the entire episode. She leaned on the strength of the Lord, as her body was failing, but kept pushing herself to make that body work. Yes, I have been encouraged beyond measure by those hospital personnel and doctors who touched my life for such a brief period of time. May I take the lessons I learned and apply them in my own life, and if you happen to have a loved one admitted to the hospital or nursing home, look for the good in people who have loving hands and a gentle heart who care for your loved one.

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Contributed by Marion Smith
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