It was a long wait for the little girl who had one chance of living past the age of ten. Her family had been to many doctors until finally, by chance, they were told about a brilliant surgeon who knew just what to do. There was a slight indentation in the little girl’s brain. Doctor after doctor declared that there was nothing that they could do. The family had already started making plans for her funeral because they had been told that there was no hope. One day, her father received a phone call from a doctor in Boston, Massachusetts. They said that he was the best neurosurgeon in the North East. Father was told that this doctor called Dr. Spock was willing to do the surgery. Hope surged in the hearts of the little girl and her parents. They packed their bags with hope and a quick prayer. Then off they went to Boston. Upon arrival at the hospital, they were greeted by kind nurses who reassured them. Next they had a meeting with the doctor who explained all the procedures and the statistics of such a surgery. Dr. Spock assured them that the surgery could be successful. This was the glimmer of hope that the little girl and her parents needed. The smile that spread across her face was angelic with its beaming.
There was a one day wait for the surgery. During that time, the family saw many sights in Boston. They went to the Paul Revere House the art Museum, the Science museum and Copley Square. They enjoyed riding on the T which is the Bostonian word for the subway. They enjoyed going across the bridge into Cambridge and looking down at all the people as they passed by. It was a joyful time in waiting for that second chance through this surgeon’s hands. As the day drew to an end, the family became very quiet. The quietness seemed almost surreal. Could the next day actually bring a new beginning for them? Could their little girl really live past the age of ten or would this be the last day for them to be this joyful. Could that surgeon’s hands really be that skillful?
All this family could do was wait with great expectation. So with somber hearts they prepared for bed. All three sat together on the bed as both father and mother tucked the little girl in. As they kissed her goodnight, a tear rolled down father’s eyes. He had been the first to hold the little girl when she was born. After holding her, he had then passed her to her mother. Both looked wistfully at the little girl and then departed from the room. Tomorrow would come soon enough. Very early in the morning, mother got up and then father too. Both got dressed very quickly and then mother went to awaken the little girl. Before long, all three were ready and soon they arrived at the hospital. The little girl was wisked away in preparation for the surgery. Dr. Spock came one last time and greeted the parents. Father hugged mother very tightly as the surgeon spoke to them. Mother did not hear a word that the doctor said. She was too busy looking at his surgeon’s hands. Those were the hands that would save her daughter. Eventually, the doctor finished his explanations and took his leave. Both father and mother sat for hours waiting. What should have taken one hour took three until father and mother were both exhausted from waiting. Soon a nurse came out to get them and took them back to recovery. Once in recovery, they were able to look lovingly at their daughter who was peacefully sleeping.
Did he do it? Could it be that these were the hands of the surgeon that they had been waiting for? Finally, their daughter stirred and opened her eyes. Dr. Spock came in just then and held up his hands with a smile. Yes, these were the hands. These were the surgeon’s hands that saved their daughter.
Just then there was a noise in the distance…. “Johnny, Johnny” … “Wake Up!”….Johnny Spock stirred in his bed, but realized that he had been dreaming. When he woke up, he was looking at his hands. It was all a dream. Could it be that he was going to grow up to be a great surgeon? He smiled and held up his hands!