Stroke Surviving Vet in the Checkout Aisle

I was in line at the checkout of the 99¢ store, when the older gentleman in line in front of me turned around and greeted me. I returned the favor and we began to have a little conversation.

He started to tell me that he had just been released from spending eight days in the hospital after suffering a heart attack and a stroke. I was amazed, because he was standing there looking quite healthy for his age, with no signs of just having recovered from a stroke!

He then started to tell me about how the blood leading up to his brain had gotten too thick, which caused the stroke. The doctors wanted to send him to the VA center down in west LA, but he refused and instead wanted to stay in town to be treated by a “Dr. Lee”, who apparently is the best doctor in town.

He then expressed gratitude to God for having spared him, “I guess there’s still something I’m meant to do”. He then picked up the two 2 liter bottles of Dr Pepper and crackers from the cashier and explained that he had come to get them for a friend.

We wished each other well and parted ways...