Why do I go?

I'm retired now. I had finished working for a living. I watch television, read, eat out, participate in church activities. I used to fly in the army. I was in the intelligence business. Spoke Russian. Was an army ranger. I was a district manager for the Pepsi Cola Company. I grew about 1000 tons of apples each year. I even paid about 100,000 invoices a year for the Peoples gas company. Now I can do what I want with my time.

Someone stated a need in Haiti. I can do that!! Went for a week and did some painting. This was productive, I am helping in a good cause. Eight trips later after several building projects I caught the brass ring. I went as a part of a medical team. I learned to run a recovery room, prep patients for the O.R., even learned to do some "clumsy suturing".

I now realize I am doing something good. It feels good. I am paying back something that I owe. I am using my talents to give love. Giving love is a wonderful feeling. Giving love keeps me going back. Sometimes it becomes overwhelming, as the man who had just had a leg amputated due to gangrene said to me in the recovery room, "Merci". Maybe next time I can help a little again.

-- Charles Stevens

Charlie Stevens