I have never been a religious man. As a matter of fact I would have to say I am staunchly Atheist at best and Non-Christian Agnostic at worst. However, occasionally amazing and humbling events happen to me on Easter. This year is one of those times. I am still in the hospital battling deep pressure ulcers and regaining the mobility in my legs so I have all these nurses and techs I have met on my many long stays. Tonight, a very sweet and special tech went above and beyond for me without my asking. This little Haitian lady named Michel who works 12 hour shifts brought me an amazing dinner or stewed goat, oxtail and fried plantains. If that wasn’t incredible enough I found out she wasn’t even on shift tonight. This means this sweet lady came up here on her day off knowing full well they may try to rope her into working as it’s a holiday and hospitals are crazy on holidays just to bring me a special treat. All of thisn because we spoke about my love for plantains one time a couple days ago. I’ll never forget the look in her eyes or the way her whole spirit lit up when I spoke of enjoying plantains and fufu.

Michel is not the first lady to go above and beyond to treat me to authentic food. In college I used to work at Taco Bell as a shift manager and the day shift was filled with these amazing ladies from all over Central and South America. These ladies taught me to cook and shared their culture with me with such joy in their hearts. I remember one of the ladies in particular, little Lupe from Guatemala, who didn’t speak a single word of English. I called out one time incredibly sick and this little angel found her way to my door with a pot of oxtail soup to make sure I ate and got well.

Then there was Miss Marie, a little old Creole lady, who loved to bring me Creole and soul food almost every day she worked. Not only did she make some of the best food I have ever eaten (especially those neck bones and black eye peas) but she sacrificed her energy and time while having to battling sickle cell to do so. She said I reminded her of her late husband and the jubilation with which he ate. I will forever treasure the exchange of food and remembrance we shared every lunch break

I am perpetually in awe by the way people connect with me. It absolutely boggles my mind that strangers and acquaintances feel such a connection that they go out of their way to do me these kindnesses. It’s that synergy that keeps me going when my bad brain tells me to give up. I am blessed beyond measure to always have someone in my corner. Doubly so when it’s a random stranger.