Posted on 08/05/2020 5:25:21 AM PDT by Mrs. Warrior
My husband and I were at the Truman VA hospital in Columbia, Missouri for testing regarding exposure to harmful chemicals at a site he worked at in Iraq. He had been exposed to chemicals that were carcinogens during one of his trips in Iraq and he was being tested for cancer-causing agents in his lungs.
I was trying to get back down to the ground floor. There were no windows, and the upstairs floor seemed to wind around. I could not find the elevator or stairs. I started to feel claustrophobic as I had been locked in a basement as a child. I began to feel panicky and I couldn't breathe. I bent down to catch my breath.
Suddenly, I heard a voice telling me, “be happy”. “I can't I am having a panic attack, I will be happy when I get outside”. I looked up and saw an old man in a wheelchair. Then I noticed that he was a amputee. He had no leg from the knee down. I went closer to him. He told me in the kindest voice, “I try to help people be happy, it is what I can do to help”.
He had on an older uniform. His face looked like it hadn't been shaved in a while. His eyes showed wisdom that suffering had taught him. I was moved with sympathy, he had paid a high price for his service. Feeling that he could do something to help people gave him a purpose.
“You have helped me immensely, kind sir, I am happy now” I softly told him. I planted a gentle kiss on his cheek. He started to weep. “You do a great service to the other veterans and their families. God will bless you for you for it” I encouraged. He started to smile. “You too, have made me happy” he said.
“Look over there”, he pointed-”its an elevator”. “Oh thank God” I breathed. I went down to the ground floor and ran out into the fresh air.
Sometimes angels are sent to us in all shapes and forms. This time a veteran with the determination to keep on serving in spite of his injuries was the angel that I needed to help me through a very scary time.
Thankfully my husband checked out fine, no evidence of any signs of cancer.
For one moment two veterans met in a hallway and served each other.
“Greater love has no man than this: that he lay down his life for a friend” Jesus said.
I wish a deep-hearted thanks to all the veterans and their families. God bless!
I got myself teary eyed writing this special remembrance.
Amen.
I’m glad you made him happy, too. Thank you for posting.
I really enjoy your stories. Thx much.
Your kind message is ever a beacon
Thank you very much for your thoughtful thread posting! God Bless
Outstanding!
Mrs. Augie is a RN Care Coordinator at Truman VA.
It is a grueling job. Many of the vets are polar opposite of the man you encountered. The opioid addicts are the worst. She comes home in tears several times a month as a result of being mentally abused by a patient that she’s trying to help.
I’m glad you met one of the good ones.
After all the FR posts I have been reading this morning I really needed this. Thank you so much for posting it.
I worked at Truman VA for 15 years in the 70s and 80s. The VA sometimes gets a bad rap, but it was a special place. I knew nurses that bought vets being discharged hats and gloves from the Canteen out of their own money. There were a great many caring people there. Thank you for posting such a heart-warming story.
Beautiful. Thank you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.