A friend of mine sent me this story that recounts a personal experience he had several years ago. I had to share. . .
A number of years ago when I was studying in Rome Italy, I had a pretty amazing experience that I think speaks volumes of the power of personal sacrifice … especially the testimony and/or witness to it by others.
I was accompanying a youth group visiting the city of Rome for a week – part tour guide, part baby-sitter, more disciplinarian than anything else (smile).
We had a group of 20 boys more or less ages 11-15. All of them were extremely polite, interested and engaged young men with the exception of one. Let’s call him Alex.
Alex, apparently, did not want to be on the trip and was doing everything humanly possible to make my life and the life of the group miserable. This is actually an understatement … but we move on.
After a few days it was time to visit the Scala Sancta … All of the boys were very excited as they get to do something physical. You see, the tradition is not just to look at the stairs but to go up them – on your knees. There are 28 steps and it hurts. A lot.
All of the boys rushed to do it, many competing with one another to see who could do it the fastest. Typical boys completely ignoring my pleas … “it should be a prayerful, reflecting experience …” Anyway, Alex was not interested and refused to even try.
After trying every motivational tactic in my limited repertoire, a little old lady walked by. I would guess she was about 85, hunched over, very wrinkly and very beautiful … she reminded me a lot of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
I said, “Alex if that little …” before I could finish the phrase he was walking over to the steps. For some reason I instantly knew something special was about to happen.
The lady was on the left side of the steps, Alex was on the right and I was in the center. We were one or two steps behind her.
About half way up I peeked over at Alex and noticed that he was crying, and constantly looking over at the lady. He refused to go any faster, even though he could. He would only move after she moved. The rest of the boys had finished by now and they were at the bottom again watching us in amazement, stunned that Alex was doing this. They could see that “something” was happening.
Understandably she was struggling mightily to continue … so was I, for that matter.
At the top of the steps, he grabbed me and said, “Translate for me. Tell this woman that she changed my life.” And then he gave her the biggest hug that I have ever seen. He held on to her for what seemed like 5 minutes – a total stranger.
He finally lets go and walks away.
I speak with the woman. She is crying uncontrollably. She tells me, “My husband died 30 years ago and I am so lonely. I loved him so much and he would always give me the biggest hugs. I miss those so much. I came here today begging God to send me a sign that He loves me, that my husband is still there, that he loves me. And then this boy comes and gives me the most wonderful hug in the past 30 years. You tell that boy that – he changed my life.”
I was speechless.
And Alex? He was transformed that day. She really did change his life. Her sacrifice, her willingness to tackle those 28 steps at her age was the most impressive and valuable thing he had ever witnessed in his life.
When I was saying good bye at the airport, after a week of seeing some of the most amazing historical sights our planet has to offer, the only thing he spoke about was – “The little old lady.”
Well, now I’m crying (not alone, I’m sure).
I can’t help but think of the fact that the little old lady was preaching, but without words. This is very touching. Today my actions will, hopefully, speak louder than my words.
A tour guide, baby-sitter or disciplinarian was not needed. What was need was a demonstration of the slow, prayerful (and sometimes painful) way to get through life. Sometimes we need to be shown what to do so we learn by others demonstration and/or life experience. Later, these actions are the empowerment for us to take action for ourselves. At other times, we are called upon to do the right thing so others may follow and glorify our Father in heaven [Mt 5:16]. I reflect on the relationship between Alex and the older woman thinking about the mentors that I have been privileged to have in my life, which not only spoke the words but illuminated the way with the Light of Christ. {and yes, Dr. Neal – this means you}
Why do you constantly find ways to make me cry?
Awesome. These are the kind of moments worth living for, no?
My life is filled with more beauty everytime I read this thing. I LOVE OLD LADIES with all my heart. They change my life daily as I see them faithfully gathered, made-up, walkers, etc–carrying nothing but ‘others’ to their God in the Eucharist.
I was just reading the book, “Resolution for Women,” for a study group I’m in. The whole chapter was about how we almost always receive more when we give in love, and how we often choose *not* to give because we are unable to believe that God will give us even more in return. The image of Alex counting the steps with the older woman will, I think, help me remember to count what I receive *after* I give rather than counting the cost *before* I give. Thankfully, I have a husband who is a good example of not counting the cost, so I have some hope of eventually getting to that point myself.