The Lady at 18 Cedar Wood - Visitor's Story

by Reem Mirza
(Southampton, UK)

Many months ago I had a strange experience. One which left me feeling quite grateful for my health. My elderly next door neighbour had a nasty fall in her house and was hospitalised for many months. She had fallen against the radiator and therefore scalded herself badly. Due to her injuries she was in a special burns unit for a long time.

After a lapse of nearly six months she returned home, barely able to walk. She needed a carer for a few months and a walking frame to walk just a few steps. This was the woman who did her weekly shopping walking very confidently.

My heart went out to her and I knew that she hated being confined to her house the way she was. I didn't hear a word of bitterness or remorse from her mouth in all the time she was convalescing. On the contrary, she was all hope and joy at the nearing prospect of her full recovery. I felt ashamed of myself for my compliants.

After the birth of my third child, I had been suffering from terrible leg pains which discouraged me from walking too much. After a long walk I would come home and just moan and complain.

Last week, I saw my next door neighbour walking independently with her shopping trolley and I reprimanded myself for being ungrateful and unhappy at my leg pain. My pain I am sure is nothing compared to her fall, burns and long stay at the hospital. My admiration for this lady is unbound. She refused to let her injuries mar her spirit and her faith in God.