@Immaculata 18 April 2022

Tomorrow will be better He approached the woman. He had noticed her at about an hour ago. She seemed to be crying. "What is wrong with you?" he asked. "I don't know what to do. My baby is so sick and I have no money for the hospital bill. Life is so tough that I'm giving up". He looked at her again, "your baby will not die". "How sure are you? Are you a healer?" she asked. He smiled at her, "I'm no healer but I feel the pin of what you are going through. I'll give you enough money for your baby's hospital fee. You will also have enough to last your family for a while". He fumbled through his pocket and brought out some cash. "Take this", he said. She was grateful. At least she would be able to fend for her child for the next couple of days. The old man had put a smile on her face. As she turned to go, he called her back. She did not expect what he said next. "I was once like you. Me and my son roamed the street begging for alms. I had rags for clothes but I never gave up because I knew that one day I would have a better life. Now I do. So never give up". "How did it happen?" she asked. "How did what happen?" "Your life. How did it change. Did someone help you because I've asked for help but no one was willing to look at me nor my baby". He smiled and said "my life actually changed a few years ago. No one helped and I depended on no one because I knew it would be worthless depending on them. It was all my sweat". He continued, "there were times when I thought of giving up but the thought that my life would be better in the future if I trained my son well. Today my son has graduated from school and has a well paying job. He gives me everything I ask for and my old age has been crowned with happiness" "I wish I'm as strong as you" she said. He laughed again "you can be stronger. So it for yourself and for your baby. No matter how hard things are today, trust me when I say that your life will be better tomorrow. Just work hard and never give up". "Thank you old man" she said and left to take her baby to the hospital. Teen years later, they met again in the hospital. The old man was bed ridden. He was already too old. She had gone there on hospital visitation. She recognized him when she entered his hospital ward. "I remember you", she said. She then explained herself to him. "What are you doing here in the hospital?" he asked. "Is your child sick again?". "No" she replied. "I'm only here to visit and encourage the sick. You see after that encounter with you, I got a new perspective on life. I began to work hard persistently. Today my child has won a scholarship and I'm doing very well in my business". The old man was happy to hear this. His words of encouragement had saved the life and future of a woman and her baby. How wonderful to die a peaceful old death knowing the impact he made on a mother's life.