Selfless wish!

He’s wish had been the perfect epitaph for a selfless man, who had left the world a better place. He had been given a chance to save he's own life, but instead had given it to a young boy who he saw great potential in. 

In the final days of his life, he sat watching the boy across from him fading in and out of consciousness, remembering his own family, all the drawn looks on their faces. 

The whispers around both beds by family and friends, who thought he had been sleeping, caused him pain. 

He was just a man, though he had always helped those in need, they were unable to help him now when he needed help more than ever. 

He didn’t mind, it was beyond their control, they all came to visit to share in their love of each other and reminisce about their memories. 

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One night, Alan lay in bed writhing in pain, when a stranger appeared to him. Beautiful and iridescent, in the pale moon light, the beauty of her aura, overwhelmed he's senses momentarily. 

“You have helped so many, now I offer you this wish. You can do what you will with it, use it to help change your plight.” The mysterious angel said. 

Alan looked at the stranger, then cast his eye to the boy pretending to be sleep opposite his bed (Alan had long since recognised false sleepers by their body language). 

In that moment...he cast the wish.

“I wish...for Johnny...to live a long, happy and content life.”

Johnny rose up in his bed and pleaded, “No! Please help him...it was his wish not mine.”

But the die was cast, Johnny felt his body begin to heal.as the pain resided and he flew to be at Alan's side, to hold his hands, so he wouldn't die alone. Tears cascaded down both their cheeks as they stared at the light. The angel wept too, at the selfless act she had witnessed, the loss the world would know. She also smiled, seeing hope of the future, in the young boy, he had saved that day. 

“Live for me Johnny.” Were the last words of a man, who had always put the need of others before himself. 

Johnny became a doctor, a healer, in the hopes he could repay the gift of a man he had never known, but yet had changed his life irrevocably. 

He lived by the last wish of a local hero, a man who saw the world in terms of what he could do for others, not what he could do for himself.

He’s grave was a testimony to this, always covered in flowers and it read: 

“For the man who gave so many hope and love, who with his last breath sought to save one more person. May the angels welcome you as you continue to help guide others.” 

To the NHS staff who put their lives at risk. Thank you! This story talks of a selfless man but it is dedicated to all of you who would risk all to hold the hands of someone who may soon depart. Thank you for doing the work of angels in this time.