Found Treasure

Met a young man at the bus stop today. I was already there as I watched him approach coming from the hospital. He was limping and one arm hung stiff at his side, his fingers slightly curled, and as he slowly walked towards where I was standing I sensed something very special about him. I thought he must have been in an accident because of how young he looked. Too young for a stroke.
But a stroke it was.
I was astonished at his story. He had an easy way about him, a ready smile and seemed at peace. He had lived an entire life time since the stroke changed his life five years ago at the age of 25. In answer to my questions he good naturedly explained that he was a real "turd" before he had the stroke and was into drugs. That all stopped when he had a seizure in his sleep and woke up in the hospital to the news that he had a large brain tumor removed from his left temporal lobe and blood clots in arteries above his heart caused a stroke. The doctors couldn't give him a year to live and here he was- 5 years later- a volunteer at the hospital helping other stroke victims because he wanted to give back what he had received that helped him recover the most...the kind words of encouragement...someone to talk to when needed. His doctors are amazed. And he's pretty happy too.
We both got off at the same place and he needed help finding a shop where he was going to meet his 8 year old daughter to celebrate her birthday. Since I live in the area I was able to take him there...and very happily. As we walked we smiled and laughed and then I said goodbye.
I found a treasure today.
A joyful encounter.