THE SECRET TO HER LONGEVITY

Just now an 82 year old patient was brought to me by her niece to have a check-up. She was very respectful, very soft-spoken and very well mannered....gives further testimony to how well our senior citizens were brought up by their parents....anyway....she looked quite depressed because of her nagging knee pain. She was so used to moving about that it was really causing her some discomfort.

After a thorough history and physical exam, I came to the conclusion that the condition was nothing serious...it was largely to her advancing age and anxiety....

As she was about to leave my office, I said...."Napakalakas niyo po Nanay para sa inyong edad na 82, mas maraming 60 pa lamang na mas mahina sa inyo." (You're very strong for an 82 year old, many who are mere 60 years of age are weaker than you.)....

She said, "Alam niyo po ba ang sikreto ko?" (Do you know my secret?).....

"Naglilingkod po ako sa Panginoon, sa Kanyang simbahan, ng napakaraming taon na po. Ang kapatid ko po ay 89 na, naglilingkod pa rin po sa Panginoon" (I have been serving the Lord, in His church for so many years now. My sister who is now 89, continues to serve the Lord.)

I could've easily said that medically, it was her excellent genes that gave her longevity, but I knew the truth as well,
so I said..."Tama po kayo Nanay, ang paglilingkod niyo sa Diyos at ang pagmamahal Niya sa inyo ang sikreto ng inyong lakas, tibay at kabaitan." (You are right, you're unselfish service to the Lord and His great love for you are the secrets to your strength, your fortitude and your goodness.)

I could not find it in my heart to charge her for my consultation fee.

She tearfully said...."God bless you doctor!" I placed my arm around her shoulders and said..."God bless you po!"

Once in a while we meet an ordinary person with extra-ordinary qualities...and they affect us in a way that can only be good for us...we reflect and we realize what true love and sacrifice really is!