Many years ago a student of mine was driving with
his family on a country highway during the Christmas season. The children in
the car were quarreling, and the mother had just turned around in her seat
to stop the argument when they were hit, head-on, by another vehicle. The
mother was instantly killed. My student was thrown through the window and
sustained multiple orthopaedic injuries as well as traumatic brain injuries.
His father was also seriously injured.
The child, who I will call "George", was airlifted
to the nearest children's hospital. As soon as I found out about this, my
family and I drove down to see him. He was so happy to see us. When he was
later transferred to our local hospital, we went to see him often. When he
came home, he needed a teacher to help him keep up with the curriculum while
he continued his rehabilitation. Overall, he had a very good recover, but he
will always have problems walking. What struck me about "George's" story is
that despite all of this, he was always happy.
After "George" finished elementary school, I
wouldn't see him again for 15 years. Then one day, he came to my school. The
caretaker, who was my friend, knew "George" and brought him immediately to
my classroom. I was teaching when she knocked on my door with the message,
"I have a surprise for you!"
I was so happy to see "George". He told me he was
living way up north, and he now had a job and was doing well. He had come by
my school while down visiting his family to thank me. He said, "You made a
difference in my life!"
Caring makes a difference. May we always follow in
the footsteps of Jesus. He always cared and he loved everyone He saw. He
still cares. For you. Will we care for others as well?
Rob Chaffart