Tired and grumpy, the holidays catching up with me, I sped by the hitchhiker at the side of the road who appeared to be a young man.  He huddled against the cold wind at the top of the hill.

 

"Someone will pick him up.", I said to my self.

 

"What if they don't?", I heard another voice say. 

 

"You're not supposed to pick up hitchhikers, it's dangerous.", I answered myself.

 

"You've vowed to help all those who ask", the other voice said.

 

"I'm really tired, I have things to do", I replied.

 

"You vowed to help all those who ask,without judgement and no matter the circumstance" was repeated insistently.

 

Grumbling to myself I slowed the car and made a U-turn.  By now I was a mile or more down the road.  Someone will have picked him up I thought (I pleaded)  He'll be gone when I get there. 

 

But he wasn't. He was still standing at the top of the hill, bare hand stretched out in the cold, thumb up, still hoping for a ride.  I turned the corner where he stood and motioned for him to come over.  Cheeks red with the wind and ears red from the cold, he opened the door and sat down. 

 

The person who faced me wasn't the teen aged boy I expected, but a young woman with short hair. 

 

"Thank you so much," she said, as she reached out for my hand.  Her hand was warm despite being gloveless, but I gave little thought to it.

 

"Where are you going?", I asked.  "I'm going to Providence,  you can take me as far as is convenient."  

 

 I told her I was heading to Scituate.  I'd been helping a friend in Connecticut and was on my way home.  She thanked me again and said she might be able to catch a bus in Scituate if she hadn't missed it.  I asked if she lived in Providence and she said told me she lived in Foster.  I'm on my way to Rhode Island Hospital.  I go three times a week to the oncology center for chemo.  I have ovarian cancer.  My car quit working a week ago, so I have to get a ride however I can."

 

Feeling somewhat ashamed for my earlier self-pity, I told her I would giver her a ride all the way to the hospital.  It would give me a chance to visit friends in East Providence before the holidays.  She was happy and we chatted as we drove along.  Her attitude was amazing.  I told her I have had many clients who were cancer patients and her attitude and determination would help her a great deal. 

 

I dropped her off at the door and told her to call me when she was ready to go home.  I'd stay with my friends and do some errands until she needed to be picked up.  She told me she'd call before 6pm if she needed a ride and thanked me again.

 

Driving silently to Positive New Beginnings I reflected how my earlier attitude had shifted.  Those things that had seemed so important were actually trivial and in the scheme of life I was extremely blessed.  I enjoyed the day with my friends and waited for her call.   At 6pm I tried to call the Oncology Dept at the hospital, but the office was closed.  At 6:30 I left for home, worrying about whether she was out in the cold.  Half way home I got a call from her.  For a second I felt impatience creep in as in my head I was already home making preprations to leave to visit my daughter tomorrow.  I told her I'd be there in ten minutes and turned the car around.  So, now you're giving me a lesson in patience.  Thank you Spirit!

 

There she was, waiting for me, so thankful and with a cheery face after having spent the afternoon with a potion that would hopefully help rid her of the cancer, but make her sick as a result.  She had no complaints about her lot in life.  No car, money running out and unable to pay the upcoming rent, struggling to make the three time weekly trips to the hospital, no one left in her family to care or help her, she positively glowed as she took my cold hand in her warm hand and said Thank You, Linda.

 

I drove away, knowing once again, that I had been touched by an Earth Angel. (Their hands are always warm, no matter what the temperature)

 

My wish for you this holiday season is that you too receive the gift of being able to help another in need.  I bet you will find it the most beautiful gift you recieve this year. 

 

Blessings to you All, and may the new year be abundant with joy and love.

 

Linda Hogan

401-949-0049