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# System prepended metadata

title: Kindness

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# Kindness
**by John L. Swainston**

Walking down the circular path 
to the vaulted room – Radiation 
treatment soon.

Turning the corner, she looked up
smiling at me.  She just finished her
treatment.  Seven or eight, I think.

Snuggled in her arm, she carried a
Teddy Bear.
“Does that help?” I asked.
She smiled, “Yes.”

The next day walking the path
there he was, sitting on the hand 
rail – her Teddy Bear.
“Oh no, look she forgot her bear.”

“No, she didn’t.” 
I looked at my guide confused.
“No, she left him for you.”

My Dad always told me that:
   real men do not cry.
But I did.

And yes, it helped.