Everytime I roamed through the hospital's halls, my look instantly shifted towards the floor. A group of Roosevelt students walking, “pitucos” surely the people surrounding us think, as we passed by, our shoulders almost rub against each other. We would certainly stand out in that type of a crowd, even more with the bright colored bags filled with toys. As we arrived to the second floor in Cayetano Heredia, I could already feel a joyful atmosphere coming ahead. When we arrived all the ill children faces lighted up - we had brought gifts for them. It resulted that a friend had forgotten some gifts for a kid named Caleb. Though since another kid, Paolo, was in a surgery we decided to give his gifts to Caleb. Every kid was in ecstasy, then suddenly Paolo arrived. When he got to his bed and all the IV's were plugged in, he looked to the right. There was Caleb with all Paolo´s gifts. The weary looking face turned into an indignant face, everything Paolo had asked, had almost ripped out of his hands and given to Caleb. He took his IV and started shouting with envy. “Calm down!” begged his mother, nothing. As Paolo reached for Caleb´s gifts his mother gripped him and pulled him back to restrain him; the mood became tense. It was now an argument between the mother and his child, not only did I hear screaming but slaps that were exchanged. After all the chaos was over, another girl rolled in with her wheelchair to the room. We had some gifts left, so we decided to give them to her. A hot pink and orange microphone toy was handed to her. As soon as she turned it on, she started singing “Let it go”, as loud as she could with a smile written across her face. It was like the shadow that I thought that had fallen on her happiness, from being in a hospital was now pure sunshine. If these kids taught me one thing it would be to appreciate everything I have now; not only material things but the love and care I get from others. I could see that Paolo´s early childhood had been full with violence probably originated at home. As I saw the mother hit her child I thought that this event would never become present in my life. Firstly because I had good health care and because I have always been surrounded by people who love me, I am not saying that their is no unconditional love from this mother though, it doesn't look like she cares that much about him. The people that surround you have values, which reflect on yours. I observed when Paolo didn't take the situation in a calmy manner and hit his mother back. This made me become aware of how fortunate I was to have proper role models in my life that help me become a better person and take care of me. Before, this visit we had planned to bring a bag full of gifts to the kids in the hospital. We assumed that by bringing them that, we would also bring huge amounts of happiness and entertainment. After analyzing the story I could conclude that we were a bit wrong. The children got overwhelmed, they had never been given that much things. Except for the last girl to receive the gifts, other kids had supplies, books, barbies, games and she only received a microphone toy. Though as soon as we gave it to her, she demonstrated an unimaginable joy and pleasure as her singing filled the room. She revealed great thankfulness and appreciation for the gift. While we are at our homes complaining about the internet not working and not being able to see your favorite TV show on Netflix think that other kids, which are even in the hospital suffering from an illness don't have access to these types of luxuries. Their luxuries depend on the little things, when the things that are given to them are not only their needs but their wants. If we have more why don't we appreciate what we have, we are lucky aren't we then why, WHY do most of us don't acknowledge it? Are we afraid to notice that we may lose it or what is it? You tell me.
1 Comment
|
Cristina BarclayCurrent eleventh grader at Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt, taking the IB diploma program. Archives
May 2016
Categories |