Five Lessons in Giving, not taking

This message was received in an email and I thought, that it so embodies what it means to be a Rotarian, that it must appear in our story section.  And, now it is time to present the fifth lesson.  Food for thought -  The writer of these lessons is a wise but unknown person.

First Lesson - The Cleaning Lady - everyone you meet in life is significant and they deserve one's attention and care - her first name was Dorothy.

Second Lesson - Pickup in the Rain - young white man stopped on rainy evening in the 1960s and gave a ride unknowingly to Mrs. Nat King Cole - unselfishly serving others

Third lesson - Always remember those who serve   -  a young boy, wanting to buy an ice cream sundae, settles for just plain ice cream so he would have enough money left to leave a small tip for the waitress who served him, 

Fourth lesson - The Obstacle in Our Path  -  the peasant learned what many of us never understand!  Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

Fifth lesson - Giving When it Counts -  Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease.  Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her five-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. 

The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.  I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "yes I'll do it if it will save her."  As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek.  Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.  He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"  Being young, the little boy had misundersood the doctor.  He thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood, in order to save her.