Originally posted by: SmithaRam
I must’ve mentioned earlier that I volunteer at a hospital few hours during weekend. Nothing earth shattering, just a drop in the ocean, that's all. When I announced this to my family and friends, they thought I was OTT. 😆They asked me "don’t you already have enough to do??"🤔
Volunteers are people from all age groups from 90s to 18s. A lady in her late 70s who lost her husband months ago to cancer wants to volunteer at the hospital because she used to visit the hospital for her spouse’s treatment and feels she can find peace here after he’s gone.
Another one who is also in her late 70s, was running her own startup moving company after retiring from a full time job. She had a setback due to back injury, followed by spine surgery who now has rods and 14 screws to keep her back straight. She likes to keep herself busy and volunteers fulltime. Another lady is in her early 90s with great grandchildren wants to give some of her time. I feel so humbled being around them.
When I was on a break during one of the weekend shifts, I sat at one of the tables near the cafeteria thinking about what motivates people like them to come volunteer despite their own problems? What is the purpose, motive, why are people wired differently etc etc.
As I was lost in my thoughts, a young family came down to the café with 2 little kids. Mom was disappointed that the café was closed. Based on their frantic gestures, it appeared to me that they were desperately looking for a place to eat. Since I was around, I told them there are other eateries less than a mile away and also showed them where they could get coffee/tea and vending machine for an immediate snack. They went to get something and then while leaving…. the dad looked at me and said – "you have a beautiful smile". (perhaps, he felt like saying something nice since I showed them around ) I thanked him like a good girl.
As soon as they left and the blanket of silence fell upon me, I remembered these lines – "the prettiest smile hides the deepest scars, the most beautiful eyes have cried the most tears and the kindest hearts have felt the most pain"❤️
Just felt like sharing a random incoherent thought with you all🤗