EXPRESSING GRATITUDE

Some years ago, the story is told, in a Midwestern town a little boy was born blind. His mother and father were heartsick, but they prayed and hoped for some miracle. They wanted so much for their son to be able to see. When the little boy was 5 years old, their doctor told them that he had heard about a surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital who specialized in a new surgical procedure that might just work for their son…that might just give their little boy his eyesight. The parents became excited at the prospect but the cost of the surgery, travel, and hospital expense deflated them because they were not people of means at all. Word got out about their need, and the community and their church rallied to help them. In a short period of time, the money was raised to send them to Boston for the surgery.

The morning that they left for Boston, the little boy gathered his things including his tattered little teddy bear. It had an ear chewed off, was missing an eye, and was bursting at the seams. His mother said, “Son, why don’t you leave that old teddy bear at home? He’s about worn out. Maybe we can buy you a new one in Boston or when we get back.” But he said, “No, I need it.” So off to Boston they went. He held tightly to that teddy bear all the way. The surgeon sensed how important the teddy bear was to the little boy, so he allowed him to keep it with him throughout the many examinations prior to surgery. On the morning of surgery, the hospital staff brought in two surgical gowns, one for the boy and a smaller version for the teddy bear. As he was wheeled to the operating room, the little blind boy held onto his beloved teddy bear.

The surgery went well. The doctor felt good about what they were able to accomplish. “I think he’ll be able to see,” said the surgeon, “but we won’t know for sure until we remove the bandages in a few days.” Finally, the day came for the doctor to remove the bandages. The nurses and interns stood with the parents as the surgeon slowly unwound the gauze from the boy’s eyes. Miracle of miracles! The little boy could see! For the first time in his life…he saw his mother’s face, he saw his dad and his doctor, he saw flowers and candy and balloons and the people who had cared for him. For the first time in his life, he saw his teddy bear. It was a joyous celebration.

When it came time for the boy to leave the hospital, the surgeon stopped by his room. They said their goodbyes with tears of joy, and when the doctor turned to leave the little boy called out to him. “Doctor, I want you to have this.” He held out his teddy bear. The doctor tried to refuse, but the boy insisted: “I don’t have any money. So, I want to give you my teddy bear to pay you for helping me so see. It’s my way of saying, ‘Thanks.’” The doctor took the teddy bear and shook the little boy’s hand, wishing him well. For a long time after that…on the 10th floor of the White Building of Massachusetts General Hospital, there was on display a teddy bear, bursting at the seams with a chewed-off ear and one eye. And there was a sign under it written in the hand of the surgeon. It read, “This is the highest fee I have ever received for professional services rendered.”

That little boy was so thrilled he now could see that he gave away his most prized possession. That’s “thanks-giving.” In this season of Thanksgiving, it behooves us all to express gratitude to a gracious God for all he has given and kindness toward those who bless us. Gratitude is beautiful, important, and necessary. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Tyler

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