The Joy Bringer, healing Part 2

José and Maria went to the hospital just days before the baby was due, and they were denied service. Because of their immigration and financial status (they were illegal and poor), they weren’t entitled to a nice hospital room, and the sort of health care everyone else in this country that was literally breaking José and Maria’s backs received. From hospital to hospital they trekked, only to be turned away every time. No insurance. No immigration card. No money. Dejected, they had no choice but to wait until the last possible moment, and go to the emergency room to have their baby delivered. So it was with no unnoticed sense of irony that José looked at his giggling baby Joshua, knowing the future was likely not going to be filled with joy.

As if he knew his father was in turmoil, Joshua reached out and touched José’s hand. This snapped José out of his darkness and brought him back to the present, joyous moment. He looked down at Joshua and saw the baby grinning wildly back at him, as if he was saying, “Come on, man, life is awesome!” José thought to himself, how innocent and joyful life is— before it kicks all your teeth in. Seemingly reading his mind, Joshua squeezed Jose’s hand so hard that José jumped in surprise.