Can a simple chocolate bar make you cry? I know a few people who would have not thought so until they ran into this specific one. This bar did not have a large amount of spices in it that made their eyes water. It was not some other strange ingredient that induced tears.
The background is that just recently I was working with a family and the last request this family had as they said their final goodbyes was could I make sure this chocolate bar go with the woman that had died. It was explained to me that the two small children had given it to their mother because they know she loves chocolate and they hoped that it would help her get better.
That chocolate bar was infused with powerful elements: love, hope, and healing. As I accepted that chocolate bar from that family it was a symbol of their trust in myself, my coworkers and my organization to provide the best care possible and to carry through with their wishes for love, hope and healing. In this case she was not able to go home with them and go on living. But through the thinking ahead of herself and her husband they decided to be a donor if it ever became a possibility. With that preparation being done, she was able to directly help 6 other people through organ donation and many more through tissue donation.
The chocolate bar did follow the path it was sent on, it stayed with her through the whole time. But that love, hope and healing went out with the gifts she gave to others. The gift of life, hope and healing of being healthy, freedom of movement, spending time with children or grandchildren. The gift those kids gave has had a huge impact, hopefully that one day they will understand, It brought tears (of joy and sadness) to not only the staff but those and (their family members) that received their mother’s gifts of hope, love and healing.
Peace,
John
Tags: chocolate, donation, healing, hope, loss of a mother, love, organ donation, tears, trust
January 20, 2011 at 3:38 pm |
It never ceases to amaze me – the power of the love of a child.