Don't Give Up Five Minutes Before the Miracle

This morning The Today Show aired one of the most feel good stories that I have seen in a long time.

A family’s father had just past away, when at the funeral the elderly widow begin to feel terribly ill. After the burial they rushed her to the emergency room, where one of her sons removed all of her jewelry, which happened to be of great sentimental value, and tied the belongings up in a plastic glove as to safeguard them for the duration of her hospital stay. The next day when others in the family asked about the jewelry, the glove was nowhere to be found. Realizing that not only had it been left at the hospital, but that it had also been thrown away, they met a custodian who was more than willing to go above and beyond. After contacting the waste management company responsible for the hospital’s garbage, the family and their newly found friend, Frank, set out to dig through the endless bags of waste. After six hours of digging through the vile trash, the family wanted to give up, but it was Frank who insisted they push on, saying, “Don’t give up five minutes before the miracle.” It was also Frank who pulled the glove out of the trash containing this family’s valuables.

During his interview on the Today Show, Frank was asked why he would go to such extreme links to help this family, whom he had no obligation. He simply responded that he, too, had lost his parents and wanted to help them in a time he knew was already so difficult. He wanted to do for them, what he would have wanted others to do for himself.

This is a beautiful reminder of the good that can be found in one another, even a stranger. A heart like Frank’s is truly touching. This man had no obligation to help these people, and in fact, his helping was probably one of the most selfless things he could have done. Sure, anyone can offer words of encouragement, but not only did this man go and spend six hours digging through garbage for this family, he was the one who encouraged them to push on. Had he not, the family would have forever gone without what they held precious to them and we wouldn’t have such a vivid reminder of what mountains a good person can move.

Don’t give up five minutes before the miracle; it's one of the more inspiring things I've heard in a long time.