The
Miracle of Love
The
Miracle of Love
Once upon a time, there was a very handsome young man, named Christopher, who had recently fallen off his horse. Aside from broken ribs, cuts and bruises, he was also blind. After a few weeks, he recovered from the accident – that is, except for his eyesight.
He happened to be very rich and had already been known as a spoiled, self-centered person, but the accident had only made his personality worsen. He refused to learn Braille, and didn’t want to leave his home even to go to the doctor unless he just had to. He did not want anyone to visit him, except for his mother’s housekeeper, Karina.
Karina was what you would call a “plain Jane”. She did not have looks to speak of, but she was the nicest, sweetest person Christopher had ever met. When his mother asked his permission to send Karina to clean his house, Christopher agreed. He realized that the house really needed attention; but also, he knew that Karina would not pry or mess with anything she was not asked to. Beside, he knew she was poor and probably needed the extra money.
When Christopher’s mother asked Karina to go twice a week and clean his house, Karina was delighted! She had a secret crush on Christopher, but was careful not to let anyone know. After all, she realized that besides being ugly, she was poor and had nothing to offer someone like Christopher, who had everything!
Karina cleaned for Christopher, on Tuesdays and Fridays. The first couple of weeks, they spoke very little to each other. In fact, he was preoccupied with wallowing in self-pity and didn’t notice her much. Karina was careful not to be in his way, but cleaned, ironed and, when ready to leave, murmured “Well, I guess I’m through for the day, if you need anything else, just call me.”
Although Christopher was blind, Karina felt like he stared right through her and could tell how much she liked him (although he had no idea).
“Just make sure you didn’t leave anything out that I can trip over, I don’t need any more accidents,” he replied sarcastically.
“Oh, I tried to leave everything just as you had it, I will be back on Tuesday, but I can come before, if you need me.”
Week after week, Karina noticed that Christopher was coming out of his uncaring shell. She hoped that she could take credit for some of it, because she had prayed that she could help him focus on what he had, instead of what he didn’t --- his eyesight.
Even though they did not have deep conversations, each day Karina came to clean, Christopher felt excited. He did not want to admit it, but he enjoyed her bubbly personality and loved it when she sang softly to herself, while cleaning.
“I don’t know why I feel this way.”
“When I could see, I used to wonder why she didn’t ever wear make-up, or try to fix herself up a little more. I never thought about how she was coming to clean, not socialize.”
Karina looked forward to each Tuesday and Friday. She tried not to let Christopher know her feelings.
“Sometimes, I’m almost glad that he is blind,” she admitted.
“I mean, if he could see, he certainly would not take time out each week, to carry on a conversation with me.”
To admit this was hard, but she knew that it was true.
About three months after Karina started cleaning for Christopher, she added cooking to the schedule.
“I always heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so I guess it can’t hurt,” she murmured with a sigh.
She had heard his mother comment one day that roast beef was his favorite meat, so Karina set out to prepare it the next cleaning day, which was Friday.
Before she could muster the nerve to tell him, Karina what the smell was in the Kitchen.
“Oh, I just thought I would pop a roast in the oven and let it cook while I’m cleaning today, I hope you don’t mind.”
“Only if you will stay and eat it with me. I don’t usually like to eat in anyone’s presence, but somehow, with you, I don’t mind,” he added.
Karina’s heart swelled with joy!
“I’d love to eat with you, if you don’t mind.”
She couldn’t keep the excitement out of her voice. We are really moving forward, she thought.
Dinner was superb! Even though Christopher frowned when Karina explained that the potatoes were placed at 2 o’clock on his plate and the roast was at 3 o’clock.
“I thought that might make it easier for you,” she stated, softly.
“I’m sorry, if I have offended you,” she quickly added.
The frown left his face as he realized that she really was trying to help.
“I guess I’m just not used to accepting advice, especially from a woman.”
Karina had been cleaning for Christopher for about six months, when she realized that she had fallen hopelessly in love with him. She had begun preparing meals for him on a regular basis and most of time, she was asked to stay and share the meal with him.
On this particular Tuesday, however, when Karina knocked on his door, Christopher’s mother answered.
“Oh, Karina, I guess you won’t need to clean today, Christopher is sick.”
Concern immediately shone on Karina's face.
”What is wrong? Is there something I can do”?
“It appears to be a migraine headache,” his mother replied.
She could see the concern on Karina’s face.
“He’s been having them for a couple of weeks now, but didn’t mention it. It just got so bad that he felt he must. He has a doctor’s appointment at 2:30 this afternoon, so maybe we can find out what is wrong.”
Karina wanted to offer to go with them to the hospital, but realized that she was just the cleaning lady and had no right to ask.
“Please let me know if I can do anything,” Karina urged.
“Oh, and tell him I will be praying for him,” she added sheepishly.
“Of course, I will tell him,” his mother responded.
The next cleaning day came, and Karina had not heard from Christopher. It’s Friday, she thought, and I don’t know whether to go or call, or what I should do. Finally, she decided to go to his house. After all, it was her cleaning day.
Karina knocked, but no one came to the door.
“Now, I’m really getting worried,” she thought.
There was nothing to do, but go back home. Or, more to the point, go home and cry.
As soon as she turned the key in her door, Karina heard the phone ringing. She raced inside to answer it. She immediately recognized the voice of Christopher’s mother.
“Is that you, Karina?” She asked.
“Yes," Karina replied. “Is something wrong? I mean, today is my cleaning day, and no one was home.”
Karina realized she was revealing more feeling in her words than she intended.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Karina. You see, Christopher didn’t want you to know, but after he went to the doctor on Tuesday, he was referred to a specialist. It seems that Christopher might regain his eyesight, Karina.”
His mother’s voice sounded hopeful.
“We were worried about the headaches, but after two days of tests, the specialist gave us encouraging results!”
She stopped, waiting for Karina’s response.
“Wow, I don’t know what to say,” Karina finally managed to reply.
“I mean, that is wonderful news!” She added. “
Please tell Christopher I will continue to pray for him, and if he needs me, just call me.”
Karina realized her voice was shaky. She also realized that she would probably not be needed at Christopher’s house any longer.
As she was hanging up, she heard his mother reply,
“Christopher asked me to call you and have you to pray about this. He told me he really wanted to surprise you, but that he needed your prayers!”
She paused.
“You know, Karina, he has really become good friends with you, I can sense it.”
Later, Karina realized that she did not even ask when the surgery would take place, or any of the details. She was afraid if she had continued to talk to Christopher’s mother, she would reveal her true feelings.
“I really want him to see again,” Karina acknowledged aloud.
“But, part of me is selfish, and I know that once he gets his eyesight back, I may no longer be part of his world.”
She could fight the tears back no longer. Even though she knew their backgrounds were worlds apart, she was also aware that for a few months, they had been on common ground.
The next cleaning day was Tuesday, and it came and went. Karina knew she was not needed, so she didn’t go. Indeed, she had been praying for Christopher, but no contact was made. Karina felt that the sooner she could get him out of her mind, the better. Silently, she admitted that he would always consume part of her mind, but would not openly acknowledge the fact.
On Friday morning, Karina was reading the newspaper, when a knock was heard at her door. She was still wearing her nightgown, even though she had taken time to comb out her hair. Upon observing that she looked decent, Karina answered the door.
Christopher stood in the doorway, taking in the sight. No one had to tell her, he could see it was obvious. It was he who spoke first.
“Well, Karina, what’s up? I mean, isn’t it Friday? Have you quit cleaning for me?”
He paused.
“Oh, well, I hadn’t heard from you in a couple of weeks, so I just figured you didn’t …uh, need me.”
She had always felt he was her superior, but felt it even more so now, that he
could see – and here she was, in her nightgown!!! Even though she was decent, she felt like a slop. Here he was, looking better than ever, in his designer clothes.
“Karina, Karina! What am I going to do with you?” He teased.
“I thought that you would be over Tuesday to clean. I came home Monday night, and couldn’t wait to see you. I mean really see you.”
“But Tuesday came, and I realized that you were not coming. I had to go back to the doctor Wednesday, so I thought I’d just wait to see if you came today. But here it is Friday, and no Karina.”
“Christopher, I am so happy for you!” She sighed.
“I really am, but I told your mother to let me know if you needed me and I haven’t heard a word.”
She could feel tears trying to come, but she blinked them back.
He walked over to her and looked into her eyes.
“You know, Karina, before my accident, I felt I could buy anything I wanted. I took things for granted, and I didn’t care about much of anything or anybody.” He hesitated, before continuing; “but perhaps the best thing that ever happened to me, was when I became blind. For you see, that is when I really started seeing. I had known you as mom’s cleaning lady, Karina.” He grinned. “But I would never have seen you for the true beautiful person you really are, if I had not become blind.”
Karina started to interrupt, but he continued.
“No, really. I could date anyone I wanted, but it would not be me they wanted. It would be my money, my name, or some other material thing.” His voice wavered, “but not you, Karina. I knew from the beginning that you are different. I know that money doesn’t mean anything to you. But you mean everything to me.” He hesitated, “am I moving too fast? Is it too soon to tell you that I have fallen in love with you?”
She could hold back the tears no longer.
“I was so afraid I would show my feelings. You see, Christopher, I have cared for you a long time. I loved you, and I thought you might be able to fall in love with me as long as you were blind. But when I heard you would gain your eyesight back, I felt that my hope had come to an end.”
Their lips met and it was Christopher who withdrew first.
“So, does this mean that you will marry me? You will clean every day then, without pay.” He added with a smirk grin.
Karina smiled back.
“This is like a fairy tale. I am truly a rags to riches gal, but I would marry you if you didn’t have a dime to your name.”
“Now, wait a minute.” Christopher interrupted.
“I feel like a beggar, instead of a king. You see I was prepared to beg you to marry me, if necessary.”
They both paused to thank God for bringing them together.
. . . And they lived happily ever after!!!