Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Recently my brother was admitted into the hospital, for just a sort of routine procedure.  While he was in there for a few days, I stayed with him all day and my parents slept there. 

Beside him lay a little girl, almost doll-like, in a sea of sheets ... I couldn't place it but something looked so hopeful about her.  She, too, was a bit of a regular (I later found out) so being at the hospital was probably nothing new to her.  She talked like any child, upbeat and giggly, but she just seemed so old for her age.

When I saw her, she looked a bit lonely; her mom had stepped out somewhere and we were in the process of moving into the room. Naturally, I smiled and said, "Hi" out of pure social habit.  At first, I think she was confused but then she warmly smiled back.  I could only think of the recognition she wouldn't get due to whatever condition she had-- masses of people who only talked to her out of pity or just overlooked her all together.

I went home that day and didn't think much of it--to me she was just a person,and being friendly, just like talking to people. A simple "Hi" and some other words probably didn't make a world's difference.

Turns out that after I left, the little girl talked to my mom about how happy that'd made her -- that I was actually talking to her.  I'm no Mother Teresa obviously, but somehow it felt so warm inside to know that insted of the usual frowns she saw, I was a reason for a rather toothy grin. :)  As wierd as it sounds, I actually looked up to her; there was sense of uncommon courage in her ... I can't put it to words even if I tried ... but it was there. 

I just spent a few minutes with her but perhaps I could've done more?  But it still felt good, kind of like I just accidentally grabbed a handful of stars while jumping carelessly around the yard with no particular intent.