12/07/2022
Today was a hard day. Even now as I write this with bloodshot eyes, I’m fighting back tears.
“Papito” as he was called was a retired yet hardworking father and husband. He rode is bike every day to run errands, not for exercise or staying healthy, as some of us do, but out of necessity due to lack of transportation and lack of funds for transportation.
I met Papito while I was waiting for public transport while running errands in this modestly earning and poverty stricken farmer’s town in Cuba, where we(medical university) , usually provide free medical services to the residents.
Papito stopped his bike as soon as he saw me, because of course I look like a foreigner who can help, with my shiny new shoes and bag, clean white blouse, seemingly untouched by the poverty, hunger, and disease many have to endure in the town.
“ Hello, how are you. Do you have any time to talk today?” He asks in Spanish. I reply with yes, but annoyed.
I was particularly annoyed this day, because I usually get followed, asked questions, asked for money, any time I went out, so I was expecting for this to be another one of those instances.
I listened as Papito explained how he needed help and funds getting medicines for himself and his son who were both ill. I told him I couldn’t help right then, but to tell me his name and where he lived so I could stop by.
“My name is Papito, and I live right there on the second entrance of that street. Just ask for Papito, everyone knows me.”
I felt much more inclined to help once I saw how honest and forthcoming he was about who he was. I couldn’t help him that day since was in a rush the funds I had we’re already accounted for—good excuse right? I also particularly didn’t fully believe the story, so I didn’t take it too seriously.
I never followed up. About 30 days later a colleague mentions how someone in the neighborhood we serve passed away. The name “PAPITO”.
Death is permanent. Today, feel so guilty , guilty that I didn’t take the time to help Papito. Whatever he needed, I could’ve given to him, with no detriment to myself. Guilty my selfishness and attitude got
The best of me that day.
What if in those 30 days I could’ve done something to change this unfortunate outcome. What if I could have been the one person to prevent his death. He knew the end was coming and was doing everything in his power to get help, and I DIDNT BELIEVE HIM. I DIDNT FOLLOW UP WITH HIM.
I learned a powerful and painful lesson today, I’ll figure out how to move forward, once I recover.
