Moondustwriter Thursday- Random Acts of Kindness

Today in the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the US.

Thanksgiving means different things to different people. One thing that rings loud and clear for most is relationship; relationships include fellow workers, neighbors, friends, family. Whether you are in the United States, Ukraine, or Madrid, we need each other. I hope this story , in a small way, gives you a moment to reflect and be thankful for what you have and for the people in your life. I am thankful for each of you.

Random Acts

She awoke with color streaming through her window. "How could it be a better day? she mused. "The plans for my marriage to the love of my life are underway; today I am beginning my new job after my unexpected promotion, and the sun is shining. She pulled into the driveway at her regular coffee kiosk.

"How can I share my happiness?" she wondered. Quickly fussing through her purse, she pulled out her wallet. The only paper she had was her new business cards.

"Hope this day is full of sunshine - hope you can shed some into the another's life." She quickly wrote on the back of the card. As she pulled up to the barista, she pointed behind her "Please put that man's purchase on my credit card."

"Do you know him?" The barista smiled.

"No not at all. I just wanted to share the best day of my life with someone. Oh and please give him this card. Have a fantastic day," she smiled as she drove off with her latte.

"What's this?" Maxwell grumbled. Looking up at the barista, he was handed his scone, coffee, and a business card. "Sunshine -ha! In my life?? Pass it on...?" As he drove off he thought, "Maggie would have loved it if I could help one person today. Maybe I should."

"If this day, if this life doesn't get any better than it's the end for me the pre-med student sighed. I just can't go on. What is the point of life if I can't help people. Why was I given this mind? Why the rejections?" As he was given his double shot, he didn't even notice the barista's flirty smile. He certainly didn't hear her say "have a great day." His demeanor was torrential. Society doesn't need the likes of me." He thought sadly but with resignation of the handgun stowed in his top drawer - ready.

"Please show the applicant in," Dr. Stowell said on his squawk box. He looked at the picture of his wife of 45 years. She smiled back. "I wish you were here darling."

"I am", he heard a whisper in the wind. The air was more than still; yet there had been a gentle rustle in the leaves of the tree just outside.

"Then I will try to help someone today. In your honor, my dear."

"You always had a big, generous heart Maxwell," was the faint reply.

"Dr. Stowell, thank you for seeing me this morning" the tall,handsome, dark-haired student said as he shook the dean's hand. Stowell read something in this man's countenance. "What is it Maggie?"

"His heart is broken; his spirit thwarted with defeat Maxwell." The dean of the Medical School had done his homework. He had one unexpected opening for the entering class. A minority student would balance the entering class. The applicant was Native American. "Tell me why you want to be a doctor?" Dean Stowell asked. Daniel Brushwood was a bit taken aback. He was ready to share his grades, internships, etc. "Doctor Stowell I grew up on the reservation. My teachers saw that I was a smart boy and got government funding to send me to a College Prep for High School. While there, I excelled in Science. One year when I was home, my grandmother got very sick and died. They didn't have the care she needed. I asked why??? We just didn't have enough doctors or money. I vowed I would be a heart surgeon to help people who didn't have the money to pay for their care. I may never bring this institution recognition for the awards I get or the papers that are published but I would bring recognition for humanity."

"Ah- so the other schools won't take you because of your desire to be a humble servant to your people???"

"I guess so sir."

"Then let me tell you - this institution needs some humanity infused into it's haughty, dusty ivy system. Please go to our Financial Aid office to have them put together a generous scholarship package. Welcome to Medical School Dr. Brushwood."

***

Tears were streaming down the "sunshine girl's" face. Her mother had a heart condition that required surgery. Her dad had lost his job and subsequently the health insurance had to go. Becky called hospitals, agencies, the like.The economy was bad. No one had the money to help. Her last hope was to approach a doctor rather than an institution. She had a list. A very small list. She looked at the first one; he was known to be the best in the country. "Yes I am trying to reach the doctor regarding a special request: it's for my mother who won't live if she doesn't have the surgery. Time is running short."

"This is Doctor Brushwood, I have reviewed your mother's records her success rate is high if she has the surgery. We have her scheduled next Wednesday for pre-op."

Dr. Stowell, now retired, smiled at Maggie's picture.
" I just read in the paper that another life was saved by our boy, Daniel. Maggie you always knew how to pick 'em. Did you write that card that day my dear?"

Photography: by my favorite One Shoot featured photographer Terence Jones http://www.flickr.com/photos/terence_s_jones/4844779423/sizes/m/in/photostream

"Random Acts" a short story by Leslie Moon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
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