Reach for the skies.

He. Average guy, late 30s/early 40s, with too many grey hair for his age. Proud father of a young son, loving husband.

he. 4 or 5 year old kid. Inquisitive as any other. Blissful, feeling as bright as his bright red jumper. The world's perfect, his parents are the best people in the world. Full head of blonde, the most adorable thing on earth.

The elevator. the wait. 2 medical students.

"Daddy! can i wash my hands with the alcohol?" As he stretches out his hands as high as he can, trying to reach for the alcohol gel dispenser... though if you mute out the conversation, he looks as if reaching for the sky.

"You don't need that, dear"...

Dad fidgets about. more waiting.

"What'll she be like? will he be okay seeing her?"

Wait.

*First floor, doors opening*

*doors closing, lift going up*

"Going down!" Kid screams in delight.

"No dear, we're going up"

"Down!" Kid then tries to fiddles about with any buttons he can, like any other kid would. Enjoying his world of bliss. Dad looks intently at his child, silent, but thoughtful.

------

She. Young mother with aspiring dreams and hopes for her son.

There she stood. With a cap for her head where her blonde hair used to be...weak, she stood, slightly hunched, using her drip stand partially as a walking stick. Pale and frail, she stood there. barely. He stares at her, she stares back. Silence, only to be broken by the uncontrollable cries of the young son. Dad tries to hold son back, while continuing to look at her. She stares back, trying to be as strong as a brick wall, but deep inside, she's no different from little young son - who stays strong till he sees his mom. Yet, she is strong, for both of them. Real strong. They leave, perhaps with fears, with sorrow, but maybe a glimpse of hope, and a dash of thankfulness - that they have another day. She stays behind, alone, facing the silence. Braving it like a soldier, fighting on. Long live faith, long live hope, long live love.


--------


God, help me to be as strong as the patients i see, and their families too.


but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint