Karina had a stroke 13 years ago when she was just 34. She had been a linguist before this happened, active in her career, mother of two, enjoying a full life. Rebecca met Karina earlier this month at an old folks’ home in Chile while Rebecca and her little sister Julia were visiting Ceci, the 101-year-old Chilean nanny who raised Julia (click here for a post about Ceci and her amazing vitality).
Making Art with Karina
During the visit, Rebecca pulled out art supplies, as she is wont to do, and got everyone in the old folks home drawing. At first Karina said that she couldn’t participate because the stroke had affected her motor control but after some encouragement, she drew 3 small hearts with strings like balloons adding below “Te Quiero Raul”. She explained that the hearts represented her and her two brothers, one of whom—Raul—had taken care of her after her stroke.
Sharing It With Raul
Upon seeing this adorable little sketch, Doña Marta, who runs the home, took a photo and texted it to Raul. He called back a couple of hours later, leaving an emotional message about how moved he’d been. Marta replayed the message for Rebecca, which said (translated from Spanish): “That is the most beautiful gift I will have this Christmas. This gift has filled me with emotion, to know that my sister thinks of me too, that she loves me and cares for me so much. I also love her very very much. From the bottom of my heart I really appreciate you giving me this emotional moment. Please tell Karina, ‘I thank you from the bottom of my heart, my sister.'”
More of Karina and Raul’s Story
Marta shared more of Karina and Raul’s story: that Karina’s mother had found her after the stroke and that Karina had railed against her mother “Why didn’t you just let me die ?!” but her mother said the pain of losing her daughter would have been unbearable. She cared for Karina until she herself fell ill and died of cancer. On her deathbed she made Raul promise he would ensure Karina’s wellbeing. He fulfilled this promise until his wife got cancer, then he had to find Karina a residential facility–Doña Marta’s home, a small community with 5-10 elderly or disabled residents who receive loving attention from Marta and her husband Alberto.
Raul’s Commitment to Karina Saved His Life
Over the years, during his visits to Karina, Raul shared with Marta that he had gone through a deep depression after his parents died (both of whom he had taken care of) to the point that one day he had actually thought about ending his life. But somehow, he said, he had found himself in a park that he associated with Karina. He snapped out of his hopelessness when he realized that this must be a signal from his mother reminding him of his promise to care for Karina. This gave him strength to persist and motivated him to get therapy for his depression.
The Poignancy of Images
Although Raul knows that Karina is grateful to him for taking care of her after their mother died, the drawing she made touched him in a way that words could not. The simplicity and unambiguous message cut right to his heart and literally put him in tears.
Make a Homemade Card for Someone You Appreciate
So although the season of gift-giving is now closing, as you end 2023 you might think about someone who has been helpful to you and send them a simple homemade card as a form of appreciation. We suggest you that no matter how humble it is, it will move its recipient in a way that just words would likely not.