It was well after midnight, I stood silently staring out of the ninth floor window of the New York hospital. At 9 a. m. , I was1into an operating room. After an eleven-hour2, I was put into a recovery room. It was then that I first saw him. He was so3and stood in the doorway of the recovery room. He sent out sympathy and 4to me.
The man would be standing in the doorway, smiling and nodding as I would pass with one or more members of my family. On the fourth week I was allowed to walk up the corridor(走廊) 5. As I passed his room, I stopped a minute to6. He introduced me to his wife and his son who was7in a hospital bed. He explained that he and his wife had brought their boy to this hospital of hope from Iran. They were still8but things were not going well. For three more weeks we9 our conversations, each giving the other the gift of caring and friendship.
There did come a day when the doctor told me I could10 the hospital the following morning. The next morning he came to my room. I told him I would pray for his son. He 11 me but shrugged(耸肩) indicating the hopelessness. This man in his sorrow was so12 for me. I could feel his love. As I turned to walk down the corridor to the elevator, he was 13 and stood in the doorway, smiling, nodding and giving his blessing.
Fifteen years have passed and I think of him 14and he is always in my heart as I feel I am in his. I think it is because when we face the15 , our hearts and souls are open to those around us and we are able to accept the love and kindness of others, almost freely and thankfully as children accept love.
