A few years ago, a six-year-old boy from Oregon suffered burns over 85% of his body. His life was saved by eight courageous and committed people -- his parents, three nurses and three doctors. The nurses emerged as the true heroines. After other nurses had quit, these women took eight-hour shifts with the boy, seeing him through skin grafts, operations, and other crucial periods. The boy grew to dislike them, as he innocently thought they caused his intense pain. Him room measured 12 feet by 12 feet. The door was tightly shut, shades were drawn, heat blazed from a lamp acting as a substitute for blankets. The humidity was so high the walls dripped with moisture, and the air smelled of burned flesh and chlorine-soaked dressings. The nurses stayed with him, dressed in caps, gown, mask and gloves. Within an hour they would be soaked with perspiration. For 14 desperately long months these dedicated three gave their all to the recovering boy. Then, one day, he finally climbed from his bed and walked. It was a great day! The nurses were rewarded for their tireless effort. The lives of all three were so deepened and their sense of satisfaction so great, after fighting off the temptation to quit for 14 months, that each said they would do it all over again.
What caused them to feel so satisfied with their work? Some might say it was because they truly found a way to serve someone in need. And in so doing, they accomplished something significant. Someone has said, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” Someone else has observed, “It’s easy to make money...it’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” But it’s the way to be happy.