Epiphany

Saralys C., 12th grade, Bridge Academy

 

As I was growing up, I always wanted to be a professional dancer. However, as I got older and more mature, I realized that dance couldn’t be the only thing that defined me, or that I could do in life. Throughout my high school years, I did a bit of community service. In a way, it made me realize that helping people was of great interest to me because I felt useful and good on the inside as well as on the outside. All those experiences had a positive impact in my life, but there was one in particular that I’d like to describe as it deeply touched my heart.

I went to visit a hospital called Nos Petits Freres Et Soeurs – Our Little Brothers and Sisters. If there is a place on earth touching and heartbreaking at the same time, this is it. If there is a place that makes one see life differently and can deeply change the most cynical person, everyone should visit it. As soon as I entered the hospital, I felt really moved as I realized the number of disabled kids, kids with cancer or severe illness that the staff had to deal with. The rooms were big, bright and sunny. The staff had tried to create a happy atmosphere by hanging colorful pictures. Many of the rooms were full of white cribs with very small and fragile babies being fed by tubes. Some mothers were by their sides, trying to ease their suffering. I would look at their faces and see the fear and pain they must feel inside. They did not know if their kids would even survive the night…a week… one month or maybe two… Nurses were everywhere, running smoothly and quietly from one room to the next. Some wings were dedicated only to cancer patients; others were full of mostly older children with less severe illnesses. Some of them could still play and move as they wished.

I looked back to the time of my own traumatic birth and this is when I realized how grateful I should be for the life I was given, how lucky I was to have survived my medical problems without any disabilities. Tears rolled down my face as I passed from one room to the next. I just wished I could tell those children that their pain would not last forever. I wished I could give them a little hope for a better and brighter future. My only goal that day was to make them as happy as I could. My classmates and I encouraged a few kids who were able to leave their room to go outside on a big covered patio just in front of a chapel. We played and also danced with them. We distributed balloons and candies. Staring into their bright eyes full of delight, I could see what they were thinking as they gathered around us like ants attracted by sugar. I could feel their joy to be with us, although I knew some of them must still be in pain. We all chose one particular kid to dance with. As I held this little boy so frail in my arms, he awarded me with such a big smile on his face that I felt I was sharing an incredible moment of happiness with him. I held his hands with kindness, dancing and smiling at him. I barely noticed the drops of water rolling down my face. These were not drops of sadness, but of pure blessedness for the little joy I was bringing to that child, a joy he was sharing back with me. We took some pictures and they all smiled at the camera as if they were taking part in a very special movie feature.

How dear and special Nos Petit Freres Et Soeurs Hospital became to me since that day! I long to go back there again. I realized that day that even though dance is still a big part of the person I am, I really desire much more in life now. I want to be helpful and important to others. I want to feel alive by making others, particularly small children, more happy and healthy. I want to make a difference in this world.