From: John Brooks
Columbus
I get asked all the time why I volunteer at the hospital.
I could tell you that I volunteer out of a sense of duty, that I answer the call of Saint Benedict as a Benedictine Oblate to do charitable works, that I enjoy interacting with the staff, that it benefits the hospital in cutting costs, that it gets me out of the house, or that it gives me a sense of purpose.
All of those are true.
But really, I just like people.
Since I retired, my wife passed away and a bout with shingles caused me to surrender my driver’s license.
I sometimes feel isolated. I have always worked jobs that involved interacting with the public and several years ago I realized that is what was missing.
It is in those unknown chance encounters of community — most times happy, sometimes sad, sometimes enlightening and yes sometimes even confrontational — that your life can be changed forever.
I recently volunteered at the hospital and I met a woman who arrived with the help of a neighbor for a routine check. She needed a wheelchair, so I grabbed one and headed over to help. I told the neighbor I would stay with her and he could go park the car.
In our short time together, we talked about where we were born and lived, our passions, hobbies, favorite foods and the joys and sadness of our lives.
But, as fast it began, our 4 minutes together had ended, she took my hand, smiled, said thank you and she was gone.
Sad that she left, I continued looking for ways to help others.
A short time later, she and her neighbor reappeared, and a warm happy feeling came over me. My friend was back, and while her neighbor went to get the car we had time to catch up. She took my hand and we talked of her visit, our plans for the day, and the beautiful weather.
But just as fast as it began, our time together had come to an end once again.
I took her hand, helped her into her car, and she thanked me as we said goodbye.
I felt both happy and sad. Happy because even though our time together had been short, I know more about my new friend than some I have known for years. Sad because our time together had ended so quickly.
Life is rich with surprises and challenges and it is through our chance encounters, if only for a moment, we can find happiness, joy, understanding, wisdom and sometimes purpose that will carry us on our life’s journey.
For me, those moments of happiness, joy, understanding and wisdom, short as they are, keeps me coming back.
