Miranda celebrated her 100th birthday alone, as all her loved ones were no longer alive. But as she blew the candles on her cake, the doorbell rang, and an unexpected man stood outside her door. It was a surprise she didn’t expect after 60 years.
“I can’t believe I’m still here,” Miranda said as she lit the candles on her birthday cake and sat at her kitchen table. She was grateful for her years of good health and the miracle of a long life, having witnessed the world change through wars, technology, music, and love. She had a wonderful life.
Sadly, all her friends and loved ones were gone. She never married or had children, but that was her choice. Her career as a nurse had been too important to her. Many people warned her she would regret it in the future, but regret wasn’t precisely the right word for her feelings.
Miranda felt peaceful and happy, and although loneliness hit her sometimes, she was perfectly fine by herself. Until her birthday came. All she could do was remember her past, the parties, and the celebrations. The best way to describe her current feeling was bittersweet.
Miranda’s jaw dropped at the revelation, and long strings of memories rang through her mind.
But she wouldn’t let any negative feelings get in her way, even if she was alone. So she sang happy birthday to herself and blew the candles, wishing for the world to be better, for more people to go into medicine and help others, and for scientists and politicians to take climate change seriously.
The sound of the doorbell made her jump in her seat. “Who could it be?” she asked and stood up. The scratch of her chair’s legs against the floor made a horrible sound as the bell rang again. “Coming! Coming!”
“Hello?” she said upon opening the door and seeing a strange man on her doorstep. He must have been in his 60s or early 70s, but Miranda had no recognition of him. At first.
“Nurse Estevez?” he asked and smiled widely at the older woman.
“Nurse? Oh well, I haven’t heard that in years. But do I know you?”
“It’s me! Adrian!”
“Adrian?” Miranda asked, pursing her lips. Finally, she shook her head. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember you. Can you give me a hint?”
“Don’t worry. I expected this, but I can give you more than a hint. I’m Adrian Miller. 60 years ago, you treated me when I was at my worst. I was your patient at Flagler Hospital. Do you remember now?” The man was still smiling at the older woman.
Miranda’s jaw dropped at the revelation, and long strings of memories rang through her mind. A poor little kid had suffered a severe form of cancer, and none of the doctors thought he would make it. But all the nurses on staff, including her, had so much hope.
Adrian smiled brighter than other sick kids. He was also kinder and more intelligent. They all wanted to see him get better.
Miranda was in her 40s, and seeing kids in that state was always the worst for her. But watching them recover was the best feeling, and Adrian was one of them.
Despite doctors’ grave prognosis, chemo and surgeries worked on the kid. After months in the hospital, Adrian was released, with nurses and staff applauding his miraculous recovery. He waved at them as their parents shed silent, happy tears to be bringing home their son, healthy and cancer-free.
For several years after, Miranda kept in touch with Adrian’s family. She called, and Adrian’s mother gushed about her son’s health. He was doing well in school and was finally back to playing outside. Happiness prevailed at the time, and the older woman remembered telling his mom, “This is the first miracle I’ve seen in my career. Cherish it.”
She was sure Adrian’s parents cherished him completely. But they eventually moved to another state and lost contact with the nurse who had loved their son so much.
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