Lent is a time for forgiveness and reconciliation. An acquaintance of
mine recently shared an experience that shows the beauty
reconciliation can bring.
Mrs. Winston's story begins with an automobile accident that nearly
claimed the life of her 35-year-old son, Robert. After seven weeks of
daily visits to the hospital and many "life and death" complications,
it looked as if Robert was going to survive.
Despite the hardship, Mrs. Winston, a gentle, spiritual woman, was
quick to be positive about her situation. She believed in the power
of prayer and was confident God was healing her son. "The doctors,
the nurses--they were the Lord's instruments, and they were good
instruments," she said.
"The people at the hospital were all as nice as they could be," she
said. Then with hesitation, she added, "except for a problem I had
with one nurse." She continued to explain the incident.
Robert had been in the hospital a long time, and his mother was
hoping he could leave to attend their family reunion. "Well, I asked
this nurse about it, and she just blew up at me," she said. "The
nurse called my request 'unreasonable,' and said there was 'no way'
the doctors would approve it."
Mrs. Winston, a soft-spoken woman in her 60s, was shocked and hurt by
the woman's cold response. "I couldn't understand why she was so
nasty," she said. Another nurse who witnessed the encounter added,
"Ignore her, she's just temperamental."
When Mrs. Winston went home, she couldn't forget the incident. She
returned to the hospital the next day and the same nurse was in her
son's room. She called her aside and said to her, "I think a great
deal of you and the other nurses here." She then went a step further.
"I don't think I have ever done anything to hurt you or offend you.
But, if I have, I apologize." She continued to tell the nurse that
she didn't understand what provoked her angry tone. "I hugged her and
told her how much we appreciated her work with Robert."
"Well, she just melted," Mrs. Winston said in her soft southern
voice. "It seems she was going through some hard times, and it hadn't
been a good day."
As I listened to her story, I thought about how others might respond
to the curt nurse. Some might report the incident to the woman's
supervisor; some might reply in the same tone the nurse used; and,
some might vindictively walk away and wish the woman a flat tire on
her way home.
Then, there are rare souls--such as Mrs. Winston--people who inspire
us to reach for the Christ within us and to treat others with love
and compassion.
I reflected on her wonderful example. She put aside her anger and
pride and offered forgiveness. Christ invites each of us to reconcile
with those who hurt or disappoint us. It is a call to forgive the
stranger who cuts you off in traffic; the family member who has been
a bit "too honest"; and, the ex-spouse who may continue to drive you
crazy.
After Mrs. Winston left my home I wondered why this acquaintance had
shared such a personal story. She had come to my home on business
--to repair my washing machine. Then, as I reflected on it, I knew
why our paths had crossed. She was bringing a wonderful example of
how to deal with hurt in our lives. This Lent, take the big step.
Surrender any "eye for an eye" notions and pray for help in learning
to love and forgive the way our Lord taught us.
This article appeared in the March 16, 1995 issue of "The Arlington
Catholic Herald."
Courtesy of the "Arlington Catholic Herald" diocesan newspaper of the
Arlington (VA) diocese. For subscription information, call
1-800-377-0511 or write 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 607 Arlington, VA
22203.
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