CC3: Chivalry

     In a recent article "Life Perspectives From a Hospital" by Nancy Colasurdo on the FoxNews website, a 51 year old man starts to appreciate how meaningful it is to still have his parents around.

     Last week, this mans mother went to have knee surgery and he stayed with his father for four days. He said, "it felt heartbreaking to see him a little lost without her in the house." They spend each day, every day, at the hospital. His father would read The Daily News in a chair over in the corner, he would pocket the sugar packets that would come with his wife's meals, he would act as her coach in physical therapy, while she rolled her eyes. The father, being 81 years old, would drop his son off at the hospital door while he went to park the car in the garage. This man would refuse to let his son switch roles and park the car for him.

      This 81 year old man is showing that chivalry is not dead. Still, at the old age he is, he is parking cars for his family, trying to take care of his wife while she needs the help of others. When I read stories of people like this man, it makes me think there is hope. This man is teaching his son and hopefully other people that watch, valuable lessons on being a polite person.

     Not only does the husband show he has patience, the therapists at the hospital do too. In this story, the man being interviewed says, "I'll be sticking with the images of the most delightful physical therapist joking with my mother about whether she did 19 reps or 20. And the occupational therapist patiently going over everything twice because my mother is deaf in one ear. And the nurse assuring her that she is not bothering the staff at all when she asks for assistance."

     Just being there and helping other people, brings smiles and joy to their lives. The husband and son left the hospital one day and on their way home, they picked up a tray of cookies to take over to a neighbors house whose husband died the day before.

     Doing acts of kindness like this father has done and is teaching his son, shows people that chivalry is not dead and there are still people out in this world today, who believe in helping others.