As if I could ever forget

Yesterday was a wonderful work day. The cleaning crew worked together and cleaned almost all the Emergency Room Wing. We were invited to have break with the cleaning staff. We laughed, enjoyed food, and learned how to count to 10 in Hebrew We had great fellowship.

So today I had the same expectations. But, when we arrived at the cleaning station to get our assignments, I was taken to the Medical Records Department, and I didn’t have a partner. This department is in the basement of the building and is very small and crowded. There is a lot of activity going on, a lot of Hebrew chatter, phone calls, carts being moved everywhere, and papers stacked high. The department head told me to wash the shelves. I really didn’t know where to start.

The Israeli people do not trust anyone. They watch and observe. Bruce, our Team Leader, has spoken over and over to us about this culture, but you don’t understand until you are in it. Everyone was doing their jobs, and no one was acknowledging that I was even there. I felt very alone, so I began to pray. I didn’t even know what to pray for.

One of the women was showing pictures on her phone of her son dressed up in a Spiderman costume for Purim. They waved me over to see the pictures. I oohed and aahed, and brought out my phone and showed them a picture of my granddaughters, wherein they oohed and aahed! This broke the ice. They began giving me eye contact. Then the department head invited me to share special food they had brought in for Purim. They gave me a special seat and served me. We took pictures to celebrate.

I went into the break room to empty my wash bucket and was greeted by a very nice gentleman. He asked in English who I was, where was I from, what I was doing, and why was I doing it. We began a little conversation. He told me that he is a volunteer at the hospital, too, and thanked me for what I was doing. Then I went back to work.

I was between the shelves and he came up to me and began talking again. I asked him his name. He said, "Mordecai." I said, "Mordecai, Esther, and Haman!" He said, "Yes, and they are having a celebration in two days, celebrating Purim." Purim is a celebration of the demise of Haman. He was excited that I knew about Mordecai.

He told me he is 88 years old and his life is over, but he has to live for his wife who has dementia. He told me to hold on to the good things in life and forget the bad.

He told me as I tour Israel to please remember the good and not look at the bad. He told me the whole world wants to kill the Jews. He told me that everyone in the world hates Israel and it is very hard to live in Israel. You never know when you will safely return to your home.

I told him that I love Israel and I love him. He said that was hard to believe. Then the tears began running down my face and he looked at me strangely. He said, "Maybe I can believe you." I told him, "That is why I came to Israel. I love the people."

I went toward him and kissed him on both cheeks, wherein he returned the kisses to me. He was getting ready to pick his wife up. I think she must have been in a daycare that allows him to volunteer at the hospital. I asked him what his wife’s name is. He said, "Miriam." I asked him if I could pray for his wife. He was pleased and said yes. I told him I was going to pray for him that God would give him strength to take care of her. He was pleased. Then we kissed again. He gave me his business card to remember him, as if I could ever forget him.

Deborah Wall
Florida