Monday, November 4, 2013

Being there when someone needs you

The next time you see someone in need
please remember this moving story.


A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. 

“Your son is here,” she said to the old man. 

She had to repeat the words to him several times before 

the patient’s eyes opened.

Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack,
he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent.
He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man’s limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.

The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man’s hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused.

Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.

Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her, “Who was that man?” he asked.
The nurse was startled, “He was your father,” she answered.
“No, he wasn’t,” the Marine replied. “I never saw him before in my life.”

“Then why didn’t you say something when I took you to him?”

“I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn’t here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed. 

I came here tonight to find a Mr. William Grey. 
His Son was killed in Iraq today, and I was sent to inform him. What was this Gentleman’s Name? 

The nurse with tears in her eyes answered, “Mr. William Grey………”


The next time someone needs you … just be there.


Please share this beautiful story - Thank You

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a most heart touching story and such grace this youngman had for this older man, he thought was someone else but it was the man he was suppose to see. This young man truly had a wonderful heart and was a blessing to this man to sit with him in last minutes of life. Sometimes we need to make time for our loved ones and let them know how much we love them and appreciate them young or old! you never know when its your time to go!

GoogieOogMe said...

Like many other similar, dearly tender stories, this one sounds like it might well have been made up. But it could equally well have been true. Either way, this is a beautiful story, the kind which could be a wonderful, loving inspiration to everyone who reads it, and an even greater good fortune for anyone who receives such a gift..

Anonymous said...

brings me to tears every time I read it and I read it over and over! if it's true or made up it is a beautiful story.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful inspiration, true or not, a wonderful wonderful story! Everyone needs someone.

Anonymous said...

this was so touching to me brought me to tears

Anonymous said...

Beautiful this we need in this world more people who care!!

Anonymous said...

I wonder if that is a true story? If it is then it goes someway to restoring faith in humanity.

one question I would like to ask,is,Who is Dave, of Dave's words of wisdom? Xx

Anonymous said...

it could only be the Grace of God to make that happen.

Unknown said...

I done the same thing to a dying old lady when I was in guys hospital aged just 22. She was just left in a room blind and scarred. The staff where so ignorant I even took her to the toilet. That was a long time ago now, and may not have any bearing on this story, but it brought a tear to my eye as it provoked the memory that was so long ago, No One Should Have Been left to Die Alone esp without her dignity.God bless her soul. And respect to the marine who gave his time to that old man, a man of honour.

Anonymous said...

VERY HEARTWARMING STORY, IT'S TRUE WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS YOU TO BE THERE FOR THEM I TRY TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO BE THERE FOR THEM.

Carol jones said...

Beautiful story nothing but God.

pushpa said...

love has no name ego or relationship only being there is what it takes to be loved

Anonymous said...

Such a moving story.

Anonymous said...

So touchable.......

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful story. It made me cry.

Linda said...

True or not, it came from someone, so someone has a heart of gold to think of this.

Anonymous said...

Yes it was the Grace of God, the marine was where he was supposed to be without knowing it and spared the old man the sad and heartbreaking news, therefore the old man died happy.

Anonymous said...

Touching Story.

Anonymous said...

What a touching story .makes you sit back and realize....where was my family when i needed them through out cancer......this is true.....and the story i read made me realize any one can come into your life ...for you ...its not always about family .amen x

Anonymous said...

So many die alone its touching to know that their are people
willing to take that priviliage to help comfort themtill their last moments.

Anonymous said...

This reminded me of my mother, none of the family go to visit her, and they can find a million reasons why, and there are no reasons, she is their mother, she is 88 years young!

Anonymous said...

Brought tears to my eyes real story or not. Made me think of my husband (who is active duty).. & my husbands brother who was a marine killed in combat few yrs ago, =( my husband was really close to his brother .. Just made me think of them. And now my husband is in the military, story is sad

Anonymous said...

it was so touching that he cared enough to do this for another human being.God had put him in the right place at the right time.such a loving story of 3 people brought together at a time of need