Bonding with Strangers, Part 3

As we carried our newborn to home, our well wishers showered their blessings on us through phone calls and visits. Some friends brought flowers, presents and most importantly home cooked food. I couldn’t ask for more.

Finding me with little kids and no help around, the Hispanic cleaners I met once in a while lend me a helping hand. They volunteered to work for less money. On their weekly visits, they gave me all sisterly advice about caring for the baby and myself. Not knowing English, one of the Spanish cleaners even communicated through sign language. Despite a language barrier, the strangers, for those days became my sisters and aunts. I owe them a lot. 

Last but not the least, that morning a message from the chiropractic (who I met few weeks before having the baby) on my answering machine made my day. This Korean doctor had called to know about my well being. A pretty concerned message, that for a moment – Just for a moment – I felt PR skills. Suffering from post baby blues this was all I needed those days. I felt like saving it forever.

Of course, I am indebted to all those who helped me and supported me, particularly Dr. Speyer, Dr. Park, Dr. Goel, among others. It was these medical practitioners who changed my perspective about doctor-patient relationships. My meetings with them left an impression that not all doctors in the U.S. are business driven, lack bedside manners, or are in rush even when there are no patients, or scare and push patients into unnecessary CT/MRI scans.

The warmth I received in America from people of different nations, ethnicity, color, etc., in those hard days, I wouldn’t have got even in my home country.

This land no more looked foreign. I love you America for providing me a new family and friends.