First some background. Our daughter Teresa's youngest child, Matthew, has Russell-Silver Syndrome, a form of dwarfism. He's 22 months old, weighs 20 pounds, wears two hearing aids and has been in and out of the hospital much of his young life. But, in spite of it all, he's a happy, cheerful youngster who gets much love and attention from his parents, two brothers and four sisters.
Matthew lives in Ashland, Wis., a city of 8,000 on the banks of Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay. The medical community in town has no experience dealing with his illness and after searching for help for more than a year, Teresa and her husband, Eric, finally located a specialist at Cornell University Medical College in New York City. On Sept. 25, they flew from Duluth to New York for an appointment.
The next morning, in pouring rain, Eric, Teresa and Matthew walked down York between 68th and 69th Streets on their way to the hospital. Teresa had Matthew wrapped in her arms and was doing her best to keep him dry. Two women with umbrellas, going in the opposite direction, started to pass. Then one of them stopped. "You need an umbrella," she said. "Here, take mine."
Teresa explained that they had only a couple of blocks to walk, but the woman insisted and handed Teresa the umbrella, then walked off to catch up with her friend. In a world intent on destroying itself, one simple act of kindness rekindles one's faith in the basic goodness of humankind. Our thanks to the New York umbrella lady wherever you are.
It now looks like Matthew will be going back to New York around Thanksgiving for more tests and possible surgery. This time Barbara and I will join our grandson and his parents in the City of Kindness.
When Frank isn't being touched by random acts of caring, he can be reached at fburge@cmp.com.
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