| | ive had a long week. and its only tuesday. haneous tuesday. tuesday is SO haneous that it crept into my monday. i had one of the scariest moments of...well, ever (and ive had some crazy moments). i saw what i thought was sure death. not for me, for one of the sweetest, most gentle men (and my favorite customer by far) i will ever meet. his name--daniel. he is 80+. his usual entrance is a little dance to make us smile, followed by walking to each teller and greeting them with at least a wave and smile. sweet smile. kind eyes. funny stories. yesterday he came in. his eyes far off. his smile, tired. he stopped to say hello to the lady next to me and expressed that since his wife died 4 years ago, whenever he felt lonely, he would come see us and he would always leave refreshed, renewed, revived. ironic. he moved down to my window. he talked to me for at least half an hour. some of the things didn't make sense...talking about seeing his wife and mom and dad again, random Bible verses, about his mother, his father, i reminded him of his favorite pupil in England, watching his mom die, more Bible verses, telling me when life gets me down to laugh it off, when love leaves to laugh it off. i sat and just listened, ignoring everything else around me. he needed to be heard. his son and daughter lived in NY. he was all alone. we had become his family. after we talked, he moved down for pam to help him with his money. she told him to sit down and when she said his name he didn't respond. she called out my name and i left my station and walked down to see him with his head on the table and shaking. i ran around to him and just started patting his back. he said "oh, im going to die now. im going to die." i just reassured him that we were all there with him and he was going to be ok. he grabbed my hand and it was ice cold. his face was sweating and i thought for sure he was passing away right there in my arms. tears rolled down my cheeks. i tried to be strong. i couldn't. life squad got there and he passed out. they lifted him on the stretcher with a frail heartrate of 52. he came to and said he didn't want to leave us and he owed pam 9 cents. they took a long time in our parking lot and left without a rush or sirens. i thought my dear friend had died.
he had left his bag and papers behind (he carried them everywhere). i had to finish his transactions. i looked through his papers to find his little money envelopes and bills that we help him pay. i couldn't help the tears as i looked at what this beautiful man carried everywhere...Bible verses. neatly written on old scraps of paper. the world will never know daniel. its a crying shame. it might be a better place to raise a child.
i stopped at the hospital after work, praying i would find him there. alas, he was doing much better. something of his kidneys. still not sure. he smiled and i knew he was going to be ok. at least for now. he quoted us some Bible verses. he apologized for scaring us so much. i never want to forget that its possible to have a heart that shines. he spills over with love. he kissed our hands and we left so he could rest.
i want to sit by his bed and listen. i want to give him everything i have. and not because he needs it (he doesn't). but because i feel like the world has cheated him somehow. not monitarily, but simply by letting such an amazing person go unnoted. when we told our customers why we were unable to complete a transaction without tears--none of them recognized his name. then we said--that elderly black man that volunteers at Remke (the grocery store across the street). they all responded the same. "oh yes, he is the sweetest man. i do hope he is ok." if they only knew. he always brings whoever waits on him a fresh beautiful flower. what a fresh spirit and beautiful soul. a gentle reminder to me that we are made of, from, and for love.
the world may never know daniel, but i count it an extra blessing that i can call him friend.
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| | Posted 10/17/2006 4:29 PM - 56 Views - 2 eProps - 1 Comment
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