Stories of Kindness from Around the World

The Dusting Lady In My Hospital Room


--by Maureen Flanagan, posted Jul 20, 2006
When I was in hospital and just given birth to my first child a lady use to come in and dust and sweep. I would say 'Hello' and she would never answer.

I did this repeatedly and no answer. I thought she may have been deaf. I was told that she was mute and had been because she had been in a concentration camp. She had recovered but some children threw 'crackers' at her window letting off very loud 'bangs', and she never spoke from that day on.

On the day I was going home and I asked her if she would be my friend. No answer. I left her some magazines and told the staff to give them to her. I had left the hospital with my husband a new born child.

Then I realized I had forgotten to ask the doctor something. I went back with my baby and husband. They said the lady had indicated she wanted to see me. She hugged me so tightly and held me. She had tears in her eyes. The hospital was hushed in silence. Not a word passed her lips.

Two years later I heard a conversation on the radio which stopped me on my tracks! They were talking about the lady and the magazines and the events. Unknown to me, at the time that day, she spoke for the first time in all those years. They said the psychiatrist said it was the first time she trusted anyone and that broke her silence.

Just the fact that I heard that conversation on the radio, and my husband did too, I thought was amazing and how happy was I to think this lady spoke again.

'Embrace each day because it is a gift'.
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Readers Comments

BlueSkies3 wrote: Beautiful.
Barbara wrote: How fortunate for you that you were able to discover the outcome of your kindness to that dear lady who had been through so much in her life. It is very rare indeed to be granted a window to look through like you have been. Perhaps it strengthened your faith when it was needed or perhaps it was so you could inspire us when our faith is weak.
brindlegirl wrote: Each and everyone of us touches others more than we will ever know. You my dear had the blessing of discovering just how much you touched this lady.

This story is so unbelievably beautiful. It touched my heart as i'm sure it touched the many here. Thank you so very much for sharing and filling my heart with some much needed love xox
Lawrence wrote: Thank you for your repeated kindness towards this lady. What a wonderful result it brought forward you were the instrument in freeing her spirit. Wonderful thanks for sharing this amazing story.
Love and light.
Lisa wrote: What an amazing story! That would have changed my life if it had happened to me!
AnnieJ wrote: What an amazing power of the human spirit! Your interest in her and extension of friendship gave her such hope :)
josietn wrote: I have goose bumps! Thank you for sharing this story!
moral12 wrote: It was great of you to reach out to this woman. Thanks for sharing your story.
JeanieMarie wrote: What a wonderful example of treating each person with kindness. May we all learn from you how to treat others. Thank you!

God's blessings.
Mtalii wrote: Thats what i call the strength of kindness.

Its impact is always unprecedented; jaw dropping.

Great.

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