NE SUNDAY MORNING after Tropical Storm Allison had hit, I walked into the CHRISTUS St. Joseph Hospital pavilion and saw the place was bustling with volunteers. Sitting at a makeshift table in one corner of the room, I noticed an elderly woman handing out sandwiches and water to our hospital volunteers who had reported to the hospital that day to help in the aftermath of the storm. As I approached her, she smiled and asked me if I would care for a sandwich or water.

I asked if she was with the American Red Cross volunteers, and she smiled and said, “No, I was at church this morning and they talked about all the damage the storm left behind, and when I heard that CHRISTUS St. Joseph was badly affected, I came as quickly as I could.”

Tears came to her eyes and she said, “CHRISTUS St. Joseph has done so much for us, I thought it was time to give back to them.” Apparently, she made the sandwiches and bought the bottled water on her own and headed our way. Later, I went back to get her name and to check on her, but she was gone. I think we were touched by an angel that day!

Steve Pitzer,
CHRISTUS St. Joseph Hospital
Houston, Texas