With all the things that are wrong in this world some peoples generosity stops you in your tracks.
I am not talking about the philanthropists that have millions, donate million supposedly for charity....which translates to tax write-offs. I know that what they give changes our world and we all enjoy our surrounds a bit more because of them. I am not telling you they aren't worthy....it's just when a family that just makes ends meet and has minimal savings does something extraordinary. They tighten their belt, they create something where nothing existed, just because.
I have an elderly family member we have been caregivers to for over two years. That is nothing...his struggle has been immense...he broke his neck, lost a leg thigh high and now has pneumonia...still smiling but very depressed. He knows he'll never go home....his life has changed forever. It has been during these visit we have become knowledgeable of the staff's personal lives at this rehabilitation center. Our uncles struggle is nothing...he told us yesterday. Let me tell you about Suzie.
He began by saying, "Suzie always takes time to stop by and say hello even when I am not her wing to serve". The staff rotates wings so they the rehabilitation center always has fresh eyes looking at patients every week. I thought that was very smart of the administrator. Suzie and Uncle have built a relationship of caring. She baths him as though he was her child, with caring hands and kind words. She gives him a stern talk when he says he is ready to throw in the towel....she cares.
Well Suzie and her husband both work steady jobs. They are by every definition middle class. No children, well almost no children....they have 5, yes 5! None of them are theirs. The kids where left to the system by parents that were hooked on drugs. The father and mother are in prison for life....not a misdemeanor, killers as it turns out. No family members of these kids stepped up....the kids are in the system and ready to be separated. Suzie and her husband saw an article concerning the kids, just a back page blip.
(not actual family)
They called the authorities to become foster parents if they could have these kids and keep them together. It seems that both Suzie and her husband came from large families and dreamed of having a large family too! Just not now....they wanted to save and be sure they could afford the family they dreamed of having in the future. They had already purchased a large older home. Yes it needs repair, it needs furniture and now it needs beds and bedding....
They got the kids....she says we just tightened our belts and we are going to adopt all of them....they will never be separated. The state assistance as foster parents just covers the groceries....they are eating machines. They didn't always have food. The clothes.....man they like clothes, Suzie told Uncle.
Uncle asked if we would write a check for a $1000.00 from his account to give to Suzie. He said they have very little and I have everything....as he lays in a bed with a broken neck, amputated leg and pneumonia.
Uncle's life may be closing but he still has the vision to extend a helping hand to those that really matter. When he handed Suzie the check yesterday.....his wing was hers.....she cried so hard we had to ask her to sit. The rehabilitation center has rules....she can not accept the money. She can not afford to lose her job over such a beautiful gesture that would certainly make a difference.
Her first reaction was "winter coats"....nothing for her...nothing for her husband...just the kids, that's their focus. The youngest of the five is 5 years old. The holidays are coming too!
We secured her home address from the administrator...mailed the check. The administrator said the rule was there to protect the residents from having staff getting money from lonely residents...when the staff was just doing their jobs. He knows Uncle is not lonely....we are with him twice a day and a niece also sees him once a day. Our family is very involved. It was no problem for the administrator at all, in this case. It was a family involved decision for a very good reason. He even smiled when we told him Suzie would not accept the check because of policy rules! She has been with the facility 10 years. We would love to see the kids faces when they get new winter coats...they have never had new coats....according to Suzie.
Do you know a family that is making a difference in our world?
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