Incidental encounter

One of the most fascinating things in life is how some incidents reveal insights from random experiences and enhance our perceptions about people and life in general. Sometimes, these experiences compel us to reach the realms in our mind that are not visited before. Last week, I chanced upon one such incident that took my breath away! One of my friends was admitted to the hospital and I was with her for three consecutive days.

When I learnt about my friend and rushed to the hospital, I realized, there was one more lady patient sharing the room. What struck me immediately, were the various photographs and posters of that patient, occupying half the walls. The pictures portrayed beautiful moments spent together with family. Posters were filled with birthday wishes and plenty of get well soon messages in beautiful, inspiring words. There was a huge, handmade card, meant for Mother's day. The lady looked vivacious in the pictures. As the day passed, my curiosity reached its peak when I noticed the doctors checking her progress every hour! I learnt from a nurse that the lady had met with a fatal road accident, causing serious injury to her brain that made her almost vegetable! I was curious to catch a glimpse of that woman but could not see her properly due to partition.

Around lunch time, when a nurse arrived to take that lady patient for some tests, I could finally see the woman and was shocked to see her completely disfigured face! I couldn't believe it was the same face with that stunning smile in the pictures! I approached the family members, introduced myself and asked them about the woman's condition. They told me that she had already undergone three surgeries and two more were to be performed and was admitted to hospital for more than five months!!!

The next morning, when I reached the hospital, the lady was in her wheelchair, near the window. Her husband and daughter were trying to wake her up and make her see the sun. The lady looked asleep but still they were talking to her about how beautiful the day was, they told her what date, time and which day it was. Her husband kept reminding her how lucky they were to have two beautiful, supportive children. He kept assuring her how very soon life would be back to normal just the way it was before her accident. The daughter switched on the television and put the music channel. She discussed all the latest hit numbers on the countdown. She also read out the headlines of the day after switching off the television. After some time, that lady's son arrived and informed her how his interview went the previous day. He also shared some family jokes and they all laughed and behaved as if nothing had actually changed in their life! I was literally in tears witnessing this interaction.

Later on, I learnt from the staff that this was the daily ritual of the family right from the day one! I was so touched by the way they handled this tragedy that I wanted to speak to them and learn more about them without being intrusive. I got the chance, when the daughter of that patient (in her early 20s) offered me coffee. When I looked at her, I could see a strong woman fighting her vulnerable self. She sensed my concern and requested me to go with her outside the room as she didn't want her mother to listen to our conversation. In those moments of sharing, we both were captive and connected in strange way.

When I told her with moist eyes, how impressed I was to see the way her family handled their challenge, tears dropped down her cheeks. She presented her peril with utmost openness. She shared details of painfully disturbing ordeal the family was going through! When I asked her how they felt when there was no trace that her mother was able to understand anything or respond to anything. She said that they just could NOT give up hope and they HAD to do what they were doing to help her mother fight for her life! In that moment of cathartic sharing, I observed, how tragedies make people look suddenly older. I told her what a fantastic family and beautiful human beings they all were and that her parents were very fortunate to have her as child.

In those three days, I witnessed humanity in its most sacred form! It is very difficult to handle adversity in today's times when there are unrealistic demands from work and life. One is often torn between love, duty and other compulsions that life presents. The family I met at the hospital embraced their arduous challenge with tremendous power of love so beautifully that it was difficult to imagine their struggle was going on for months! I was completely bowled over by the divinity this incidental interlude made me witness. I thanked God for letting me have this inspiring experience and prayed for the woman and her family.

We come across many people everyday but a very few stay forever etched in our mind. I am going to remember this family forever, as they have taught me new dimensions of love, care, compassion and duty. God bless them always!