Fifteen year old Douglas Maurer went into depression when he was diagnosed with leukemia and learned he was to have three years of chemotherapy that would send him bald and bloated. To cheer him up his aunt ordered some flowers; and they were beautiful. But it was the card hidden inside that really did the trick. It said: “Douglas – I’m the florist who took your order. I had leukemia when I was seven. I’m twenty two now. Good Luck. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely, Laura Bradley.”
Though surrounded by millions of dollars worth of medical equipment and a highly skilled medical team, it was a girl from the flower shop who, by taking the time to care and do what her heart told her to do, gave Douglas hope and the will to carry on. We should never underestimate the power of an encouraging word.