City Savior

I never really understood why some people take this holiday to extreme levels. That’s why I have decided to make today all about good deeds. Why pranks someone when you can help them? Instead of pranking people, I’m making today all about helping people in need. There are a lot of unfortunate people out there that are waiting for someone to help them. 

The first thing I decide to do is dig back through the back of my closet to find some good condition unused items to donate. For one the clothes would be recycled in order to help the environment. And two if the clothes don’t fit me then the clothes can fit someone else who actually needs them and would use them. 

And since my birthday party was last week I thought I should send thank you notes. I am going old-fashioned and mailing it. I feel like that adds a more sentimental touch. I have always wanted to use my calligraphy set and now I finally can. I have perfected my skills over the years and now it’s time to put them to use. 

Since Easter is just around the corner I went to the local dollar store and made some gift bags for the kids in the pediatric department. I remember being one of those kids when I was younger stuck at the hospital during winter break and the nurses gave us all gift baskets for Christmas that lit up my mood. Now is the time I give back. Those kids are in the same position I was in. 

Seeing that I’m already at the hospital I thought I can donate blood. Since my blood type is a universal blood type it can help anyone in need. I usually donate blood every few years, but apparently, during the holidays people tend to do stupid stuff and end up in the trauma rooms and may need blood transfusions. Did you know that one single blood donation can help up to four people?

I have recently learned that cardiovascular diseases and cancer are the leading cause of death in Canada. And although there is not much I can do about it, I can donate to research to find a cure or to create a better quality of life for patients. I decide to donate a cheque from my monthly income to the Canada Cancer Society. I remember volunteering here when I was in my first year of college. I was clueless and wanted to keep my options open and thought I would explore different careers at the hospital.  

On my way home I decide to stop by the grocery store to pick up some groceries for the neighbours since they are elderly and barely go out. As I enter I see an enormous box full of donations to the food shelter. I place a $10 food package in my cart and head to the register. I notice their beautiful flowers and mother’s day cards and thought I can grab some flowers for my mom as an early mother’s day gift. 

I place the groceries in front of their door and wait for them patiently to open the front door. They open the door with big smiles on their faces. They thank me gracefully as I notice their dog lying on the floor waiting anxiously to go on a walk so I volunteer to take him. 

I walk the dog all the way to my mom’s house since she lives close to my neighbourhood. She wasn’t home so I dropped off the flowers and the card for a surprise when she gets home. I walk back to the neighbours to drop off the dog house slightly hungry. I get in the car and drive to Panera Bread to order some soup and garlic bread for dinner and I decide to pay for the person behind me. A lot of people seem to be doing that lately to create a pattern to make people’s days which I don’t really get because everyone is still paying anyways, but I do it anyway hoping it’ll make someone’s day. 

While waiting for my food in the parking lot I noticed a homeless person with her daughter around the corner. I felt really bad. They were sitting in the corner peacefully so I add a couple more meals to my order. I hand them the food and watch their smile burst from side to side. I have seen a lot of smiles today due to my making and it feels very rewarding. It is worth all the efforts I am trying to make. 

I walk off the delicious dinner I just had. And I make sure to keep a smile on my face because people tend to smile back as well. I get a notification thus I unlock my phone and see a couple of texts from my mother. She sent a picture of her holding the flowers. How sweet? She expresses how thankful she is and tells me that I made her day. Just a simple act of kindness put my mother in a good mood. My brothers should really thank me for that. 

It gets dark and I start driving home reflecting on how my day went. Today I focused on other people for a change. I made sure that all my decisions will help at least one person. I actually enjoyed helping people and it made me happier. People around us don’t always need money. Just smiling back at them and giving them our time helps. I was planning to do the trend of good deeds today and I might as well do another day. 

I wake up the next morning excited to continue the good deeds again. I make some breakfast and hesitate whether I should check my application status or not. I have been worrying about it all month. I decide to leave it all alone and eat some oatmeal and get dressed.

I like to go on runs when I am nervous to keep my mind occupied. This time it didn’t work. All I was thinking about was whether I will match or not. After I have exhausted myself thinking of the worst-case scenarios I walk back home and change. 

I usually go to the mall to get my smoothies, but today I decide to go to Booster Juice instead. I’m a little exhausted and hungry after my run so I add a chipotle panini sandwich to my order. I leave a generous tip and take a seat at the patio. 

I volunteered to attend a workshop today that teaches me how to plant a tree. My friend is coming with me. She is more of an expert than I am because she’s always hiking somewhere in the woods. I picked a sugar maple tree seed and read a little card about its description. Woah, it can grow 60 to 75 feet tall. 

Next on my list is to treat Mia for dinner since she has been a really good friend lately with all my crazy schedules and exams. I even let her pick the restaurant. I guess we are going to Boston Pizza. And I have finally taken my mind off over the acceptance and rejection decisions. We order the Fiesta Chicken pizza; it is so delicious. I officially declare it my favourite pizza.

And just before we order dessert I get a notification that my med school application status has changed. I start freaking out and anxiously open it while feeling my heart beat out of my chest. Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god! I got into the best med-school in the country. I can’t believe this is real. My heart just skipped a beat. 

I guess good things do happen to good people. It’s like giving back and appreciating the greater good helped me achieve what I have always dreamed of. I finally made it and I’m on my way to become a doctor.