Joshua

I met someone the other day (I’ll call him Dan) who delivers medical supplies and medications to low-income households, primarily those in government housing zones, for those unable to obtain the items themselves.

These people have very difficult living conditions, many are physically handicapped or have been battling disease for lengthy periods of time, and the majority are elderly.

Despite these hardships, they are the most kind-hearted people Dan has ever met. Every single one of them, without fail, will invite him inside. Often they will mention how thankful they are for what they have. Almost every person, as Dan is leaving, thanks him and tells him to have a blessed day.

Dan told me about a handful of people who have had made an impression on him, but one stood out to me in particular. His name was Joshua.

It was one of the last stops on Dan’s route- an old, wooden, stick-built house with a small shed out back. Joshua invited him inside to get out of the cold. A furnace was in the middle of the modest home, permeating the smell of a campfire throughout the house.

You can tell by his physique that Joshua is in his 70s, but his charm and mobility are that of a 50 year old. He is an attractive man, with shock white hair that contrasts startlingly against his dark skin. He has a smooth complexion despite his age and a certain twinkle in his eye when he speaks. He has an IV in his arm, connected to a machine in the corner of the room.

Dan handed Joshua his medications and asked him to sign. The protocol. Dan noticed that the walls of the house were covered with pictures of loved ones- a wallpaper of memories, family, and heritage. You could barely see the tan paint under the motley of frames.

Dan complimented the pictures of Joshua's beautiful family, which prompted Joshua to tell Dan about his life. He immediately opened up to Dan, as if he was at a Sunday church service running into an old friend.

A few years back, Joshua contracted E. coli from eating out of a canned food item with dented packaging. He was bed-ridden in the hospital for weeks, as the bacteria infected his blood. He was already an elderly man recovering from kidney disease and surgery. It was very touch-and-go, and the doctors told him they didn’t think he was going to make it.

Joshua said he felt in his heart that his time on Earth was over. He said he asked God to give him peace, because he didn’t want to be worried when his time comes. A calm came over him. He was happy, satisfied, and tranquil.

He ended up making it through, and described the event to be one of the most meaningful moments of his life. One in which he felt compelled to tell a total stranger his story.

The 27 nurses from Greenville Hospital all came in to his room on the last day of his stay to give him a signed card. They told him that his story inspired them, as they watched him battle for life. Dan told him that he wasn’t surprised, because Joshua is just one of those people who makes others feel comfortable. He replied with a humble “I reckon so.”

He said the battle has given him a peace in his life. He recently celebrated his 50 year wedding anniversary with his lovely wife, who was sitting quietly in the house when Dan visited.

Dan told his co-worker, who often visits the same houses on her route, about Joshua. She laughed and said “Joshua Jones? My, he is the sweetest man on this Earth. Every time I see his name on my route, I know it’s going to be a good day.”

Through meeting Joshua, Dan realized that somebody’s character or worth can never be defined my money, a title, etc. Meeting someone who is weathered by hardship, yet so grateful and compassionate, was a humbling experience for Dan, and I reciprocate the gratitude to Dan for telling me about it.

#Hospital #Governmenthousing #Ecoli #Weddinganniversary