Miracles

      "For kindness is indeed sublime and worth the trouble anytime. Sincerity is all we need to help us do a friendly deed." Quoted from a poem by Jo Petty in the book Wings of Silver.

      To me, kindness is the biggest little miracle there is. It is a smile to someone who wears a scowl. A word or a tender touch that is given in a time of need.

      The reason I ask if kindness is considered a miracle is this; I have said it before and I will say it again, a smile saved my life.

      I had a miscarriage six years ago. It was one of the hardest things I have ever been through. I had already heard the heart beat. I went into my next doctor's appointment, thinking everything was ok. The P A brought in her little fetal monitor, and nothing happened. No sound. Nothing. I was confused. I thought that maybe the thing was broke. She stepped out of the room for a few minutes and then came back with the doctor. He listened to the fetal monitor, and again, nothing. Silence. There is nothing worse than silence when you are in a room like this. The doctor and the P A left the room then returned a few minutes later with a portable ultrasound machine.

      I remember thinking, " Cool, I get to see the baby." I was so niave to what was happening.
    
     That was when the doctor spoke. "I'm sorry, but you are having a miscarriage."
     
     I didn't understand. I wasn't bleeding and I didn't have any cramps. So naturally I was confused. I remember the words echoed from his lips. I began to cry and I asked him if he was sure. The answer was yes. He checked me into the hospital for a D and C because I have blood clotting issues. Truth be told, right now, I'm glad that it happened this way. I was put under and woke up without feeling a single thing. At least physically that is.
     
      For the most part, I felt numb inside. A dark hole had formed in my soul. The hospital kept me over night so they could monitor my protimes and make sure I was going to heal ok. The next morning, I woke up and I couldn't stop thinking about all the things that I had or hadn't done to cause this to happen. Just about the time I had decided that it was my fault, a woman from the gift shop came in. In her hands was a small vase of flowers. She had a smile on her face.

      It turned out, I wasn't the person who was suppose to receive the flowers. It didn't matter though, because she stayed and talked with me for hours. When we were through, I felt ok. I no longer blamed myself. Her smile and small act of kindness lifted that moment and changed how I felt. I didn't end up holding onto the guilt. I was still sad, but the despair was gone, all because a nice woman entered in the wrong room wearing a smile on her face.

      I don't know what would have happened if I would have carried around the guilt from that day. I'm thankful I never have to find out. Kindness is a miracle that can save a person's life.

      I bet you're wondering why I'm posting such a personal time in my life. The answer is simple for me. The personal tragedy taught me that the simple act of kindness can make the biggest difference in a person's life. They are small everyday miracles that usually go unnoticed. I'm hoping that what happened to me, will inspire others to do a single act of kindness. You never know what will happen and how it will affect that person's life. It is the biggest little miracle there is...smiles...hugs to all...