Theme: Help, Charity, Gratitude

 
The sick neighbor

 
Dr. Evandro was at home. He had worked hard at the hospital all day. As he used to do every night, after bathing and having dinner, he sat in his chair, put his legs on the stool, and picked up a book to read.

He read for a few minutes but couldn't concentrate. The day had been very exhausting, full of events, some unpleasant. He began to remember the discussion he had with a colleague because he had occupied his office without a prior arrangement.

Then he remembered the motorcyclist who bumped into his car and scratched the paint because he had forced his way between the vehicles parked at the headlight.

Thinking about the car, he remembered the fine he'd taken a few days ago. And thinking of unpleasant things, his mind was fixed on all the problems big and small, on all the difficult people to live with.

That was when the doorbell rang. Dr. Evandro lived alone, so he himself had to get up and attend. Opening the door, he came across a distressed woman who began to speak quickly:

- Dr. Evandro! Good evening! Do you remember me? I'm Marita, I live on this street, on the other block. Forgive me for bothering you, but I'm very worried about my little girl. She suddenly got sick and is very ill. My husband is traveling. I am alone with the children. I don’t know what to do! Could you help, for God's sake? She said, falling into tears.

Dr. Evandro had already seen many people in the hospital and at night he was entitled to rest. He considered suggesting that she call a taxi or ask someone for a ride so that she could take the child to a hospital to be treated there. But he also thought that giving a little attention to that suffering mother would be the right thing to do. So he asked:

	- What does she have? - Suddenly she was all red, with a different face. She is restless, crying a lot. Poor thing! - Replied Marita tearfully. - I left my older son watching her and the baby to come here, but I need to get back soon.
Dr. Evandro realized the difficulty of that mother. With three kids and the distress she was in, it was really hard for Marita to go anywhere. So, without finding another solution, Dr. Evandro said he would go with her to see the girl. Marita thanked him very much and they hurried to her house.

Arriving there, they found the two younger children crying and the older one terrified, rocking the stroller, trying to calm the baby down.

Marita patted the boy's head in a gesture to comfort and thank him caring for his brothers. She picked up the baby, gave him the pacifier, and as she hugged and soothed him, she took the doctor to the sick little girl.

She was just over two years old and nervous. Seeing the mother, the child threw herself into her arms crying and Marita, trying to hold both children at the same time, talked to her softly, trying to calm her daughter.

- Calm down, Julia! Mom brought a person to help us. Dr. Evandro is our neighbor and our friend. He is a very good person and a great doctor. He will take care of you so you can heal, all right, little daughter?

- Hi Julia! How beautiful you are! Let me see your little face? - Said the doctor, beginning to examine her.

Within minutes, Dr. Evandro knew what was going on.

- She's having an allergic reaction - he said. - She has a puffy face, so you found her different. And she is agitated because she is so bothered by the itching and discomfort. I'll call the pharmacy here in our neighborhood and order the medicine she should take.

After the call, Dr. Evandro spoke to Marita, explaining that the allergic reaction is very dangerous when the swelling in the throat impairs breathing. But that was not the case with Julia, for she was breathing very well.

The pharmacy did not take long to deliver the medicine and Dr. Evandro made Julia receive the necessary dose.

- Done! Now she will feel sleepy due to the effect of the medicine. Tomorrow she should wake up much better. I recommend that you see an allergy specialist for a more careful follow-up, but the case is solved for now - the doctor said, heading for the door.

Marita was so relieved and grateful that she kept repeating:

- Thank God! Thank God!

Saying goodbye to the doctor with a handshake, she said:

- Thank you, Dr. Evandro! How much is your medical consultation? I have no money now, but I can pay you tomorrow.

- Don't worry, Mrs. Marita. I'm not here to be paid. I'm just trying to be the neighbor friend you told your daughter I was. I'm glad I could help you. Have a good night! He answered with a smile.

At that moment, Marita's gratitude was so great that a kind of good energy came from her that went straight to Dr. Evandro, making him feel really good.

She smiled and said:

- God pay you, then. Thanks. Good night too.

As he walked home, Dr. Evandro was very happy. Above him fell spiritual lights from heaven. He no longer thought about exasperations. His day had ended very well.
 

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com