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Tuesday, 07 February 2012

The Church Was Closed But Angels Were on Duty

By Ellen Hollos

I had just turned 40 and was living in Germany when I developed a brain tumor. I became blind and could not speak. I thought my life was over and when a doctor said perhaps I could try an experimental operation, I said yes, really hoping I would die on the operating table. It all seemed so hopeless.

But I did awaken and after a few days I could see. At first, only light and blurry sight, but eventually I began to see, speak and get well.

I was in a two-person room at the hospital and when the doctor checked on my roommate, she asked her how long she would be there. The doctor said, “You can go!”

So I asked the same question and he said, “Oh, you can go too!”

I was quite surprised as my head was still all bandaged up, but it was such a beautiful day. However, I had no clothes to wear but another patient loaned me a long coat. I put on two gowns and some long pants another patient gave to me. Someone else found some shoes for me and I stuffed them with paper as they were too big.

I went outside. It was such a beautiful day. I noticed a church down the street on the other side. The highway was very busy, and I was slow and quite weak but I somehow I managed to get across.

I walked down the street, but unfortunately the church was closed.

I began to go back but I was getting so tired. I stood by the traffic light knowing I could not make it across in time. It changed several times and finally a man asked if he could help me.

He got another man and they each took an arm and guided (practically lifted) me across the street.

When I got back to the hospital, the doctor was absolutely shocked at what I had done. “But you said I could go”, I said.

“Oh no way, I was just joking with you!” he exclaimed.

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[INVITATION: All elders, 50 and older, are welcome to submit stories for this blog. They can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, etc. PLEASE read instructions for submitting.]

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