The Joy in Tears - A story of Ruth and her Mother

She sat there and watched her daughter walk through the operating room doors, as the doors closed a tear fell from her cheek and then another and another.

I knelt before her, arms extended to hold her and maybe to be held as well.

She uttered that these are tears of joy, not of sorrow, not of fear. And she gently smiled.

She shared that she had traveled from doctor to doctor, to different cities to find help for Ruth. Always told, this is her life, there is nothing we can do. She felt hope was fading, were there no answers? How could this be?

Rocking, swaying, pouring of emotions, she spoke of her story, of her struggle, her hard life; no husband, no partner, cleaning other peoples clothing to feed her children. Her life is hard, she felt alone, so alone. This became a momentary chant. Life is so very hard…

Then the chant began to transform to an expression of heartfelt thanks and tremendous gratitude. Thanks to all for giving her daughter the gift a new life…of possibility…of hope. For coming so far, for giving up and sharing a part of our lives. She poured out adoration for the team members of Operation Smile.

The room began to hum, voices coming together in song, the song of women waiting with their own children as they gave witness. Offering a hymn of union to support each other and to something greater than themselves, something divine.

Lifting us, holding us in our tears.

- Jennifer Kreimer, Chile Life Specialist