Lesson 106: For the Love of Billy

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

I had never felt such love. I had never observed such altruistic compassion for anyone. I had never witnessed a miracle until my visit with Billy. My world was forever changed for the better because of my visit and for that, I am eternally grateful.

As I walked down the corridor in the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, my senses were keenly aware of the children being lovingly carried and/or pushed in a wheelchair. I got on the elevator with Pastor Bob and his family and beside me was a glazed-eyed child of probably 7 years in the arms of his mother. The 7 year old managed to offer me a faint smile and the tube in his nose told me that he was a patient. My eyes welled with tears as I smiled back, longing to hold and heal the frail body. As the elevator stopped on the 7th floor I waved bye, receiving a pale smile in acknowledgement. I followed the procession of well-wishers to Billy’s room. I knew it had to be his room because it was decorated and had on the window in the brightest of colors, ‘Billy’s Room’. I entered the door expecting to find a hospice environment but to my surprise, the room was filled with smiles, laughter and love. Billy is a huge Eagles fan and the room was decorated with T-shirts, a helmet, unopened gifts, cards from his classmates, and balloons. Billy’s father and mother greeted me as if I were family and then took me to see Billy. There he was, a small 12-year-old boy clinging to life via life support. His little jaw quivered as we approached his bedside and I noted that his left arm moved. He had been in a coma since November 9, 2006 but in the past few days he had made some gains.

I watched and was amazed at the pure love that generated from all. The 7-year-old sister softly stroked his head while the 14-year-old sibling held his hand. The mother and father continued to talk to him and lovingly caressed him as only parents can, with such faith that God would do His bidding. The angels of mercy scurried around the room and were accepted as family, as they tended to the needs of the child. During the circle of prayer, the nurse asked to join and as we held hands, asking for the mercies of God to be poured down upon this child of promise, tears streamed from this fielder’s eyes and an intense prayer pleading for God’s grace to shower the child and family during this terrible ordeal was offered. We prayed for a miracle but I soon realized that Billy WAS the miracle. After the prayer, I was again amazed at the joy and love that abounded within the confines of that hospital room. The father and mother were so grateful for all those that had been praying for their son. Not once did they say, “Why us?” Not once did they question or fathom the will of God. Not once did they lose their unconditional love for their child. Not once did I witness a negative statement of their condition. They rejoiced in having Billy. The father had just returned from Iraq and was released from his job because of having to miss so much for the love of Billy but he never complained. Their Christmas consisted of lying in the floor of the hospital room with Billy but they all stated that it was the best Christmas they had ever spent. They recognized what was essential and that it is invisible to the eye. Their family being together was the greatest gift of all. They had the vision of love and clung to it with every fiber of their being. They possessed faith and it sustains them to this day.

For the love of Billy, let us pray for God’s healing hands to reach down and offer comfort and reassurance to all. For the love of Billy, let us remember one another in prayer and never take for granted the gifts of God that dwell within each family. For the love of Billy, reach out to someone that you love and SHOW him-SHOW her, your love. For the love of little Billy, remember that life is a precious gift and that we must treasure each other in the recognition that we will not always have one another. For the love of Billy, be kinder, love longer and embrace your moments with genuine passion and compassion for all. For the love of Billy, pray that God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. For the love of God, pray for Billy.

*Postscript-If anyone knows how to contact the Philadelphia Eagles, please let me know. I am praying that a couple of players or coaches could visit him in the hospital.