I remember something from my childhood. There was a neighbor in our community, surnamed Zhou, who was of the same generation as my mother, so I called her Aunt Zhou. Aunt Zhou was a person filled with kindness. At that time, I had a special status: I was an undocumented child. Many people looked down on us, but Aunt Zhou was different. Not only did she treat us with respect, she often helped our family with ration coupons for food and oil — things that were as precious as life back then. We were deeply grateful.
One day, Aunt Zhou suddenly fell seriously ill. After a hospital checkup, she was diagnosed with liver cancer. The doctors refused to treat her and told her family to take her home and wait for the end. During that time, many people came to visit her. I went with my mother and bought two pounds of brown sugar. Everyone was tearfully preparing to say goodbye.
But half a month later, Aunt Zhou suddenly struggled up from her sickbed. She returned all the gifts people had given her. At each home she visited, she said, “I’m someone who’s about to die. Eating these good things is a waste — better to save them for your daily life.” When she returned our brown sugar, she even added two cans of preserved food. My mother didn’t want to accept them, and the two nearly argued. After Aunt Zhou left, my mother wept and prayed to the Bodhisattva: “Please open your eyes. Sister Zhou is a good person! Why must a good person suffer like this?”
Perhaps the Bodhisattva did open their eyes — because another half month later, Aunt Zhou recovered. She returned to her usual vibrant self. Though she was thinner, her spirit was strong. The hospital doctors were astonished and reexamined her. Her liver cancer had not only been contained — it disappeared completely three years later. She has remained healthy ever since.
Kindness is a healing remedy
Years later, I became a doctor and began to reflect on this event. After consulting various sources, I concluded: Cancer cells also need nutrition; if the body is well-nourished, its immune system is stronger — but so is the growth of cancer cells. After falling ill, Aunt Zhou barely ate, almost fasting. The cancer cells were starved and died off, which is why she recovered.
One day, I discussed this with my mother, explaining Aunt Zhou’s recovery from a medical perspective. My mother was silent for a long time, then said: “Kindness is a healing remedy.”
I was stunned. A light seemed to shine before my eyes. Yes — why hadn’t I thought of that? Though I’m a doctor, I’d rather believe my mother’s words. Kindness is a healing remedy. It can heal, it can create miracles. The old saying “good people are rewarded” speaks to this truth. Since then, I’ve realized that many miracles in this world are connected to kindness.
Translated by Cecilia and edited by Amanda
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