Back to Stories

两颗心之间

大约一个月前,我在奥地利毛特恩多夫的一个静修活动中,分享了我与无家可归者一起工作的经历。我反思了他们如何向我倾诉痛苦,如何将苦涩带到我的办公室……但最重要的是,我和我的同事们如何努力让他们重展笑颜,让他们暂时忘却泪水,给予他们力量和信心去面对未来。

分享完我的感想后,一位参与者走过来和我说话。我不知道他是否希望我提及他的名字,所以就此打住吧。

“我有个睡袋,”他提议道, “如果你需要的话,我可以把它给你。我在这里的几天不用睡袋也行。”我欣然接受了睡袋,并把它带到了我们在维也纳的临时避难所。

那些流落街头、无处可去的人可以来这里。

他们来这里取暖、吃饭、洗澡、躲避街头暴力,或者和我一起努力改善他们的生活。

很遗憾,我们的床经常住满。如果有人晚上敲门,而我们没有空床,我们会尽量安排他们去别的地方睡。如果实在不行,我们至少会给他们一个睡袋,免得他们在外面挨冻。

此外,还有一些人病情非常严重,例如,他们无法接受紧急安置——他们感到自己受到迫害,他们看到了我们看不到的景象,或者他们会说:“我被人伤害过太多次,我宁愿躺在黑暗的森林里,也不愿待在有人群的房间里。”然后他们真的就这么做了。作为社工,我们会去森林里探望他们,询问他们是否需要什么帮助。

我把睡袋送到了这些人手中。

几天后的一个晚上,情况再次恶化。我们的临时避难所又满了,午夜过后,门铃响了。一位女士问是否还有空床位。她衣衫褴褛,夜里已经很冷了。我们认识这位女士,她已经在街头流浪多年。我们请她稍等片刻,以便我们打电话帮她找个住处。

不幸的是,这位女士患有精神疾病。有时无法与她进行长时间的交谈,有时却可以。那天晚上,几乎不可能平静地与她交谈。她正要转身消失在夜色中,但我们还有一句妙语: “等一下,您需要睡袋吗?”她停了下来:“哦,求求您了!”

几天后,我又见到了她。那天她心情很好,我们聊得很开心。我问起那天晚上的事,她滔滔不绝地讲睡袋帮了她多大的忙。我给她讲了睡袋的故事,它最初来自毛特恩多夫小村庄的一次聚会,后来来到了我们维也纳的社区。

我跟她说:“这个人来找我。我觉得,他很在意你别冻着!我真的觉得,他很在意你暖和!……是啊,你说得对。他不认识你!……这个人不认识你,但我认为你对他很重要!你知道吗,我相信我们彼此相连,也许这个人也这么认为。如果我们彼此相连……也许他其实认识你?也许你认识他?也许我们彼此都认识。你看,我不知道你最喜欢吃什么,但我能想象你肯定有!我能想象到有一道菜,你会说,‘哦,是的,是的,是的,我好期待这道菜!’当你舀起第一口时,你会说,‘嗯,真好吃!’”

她说:“是的,是的,是的:意大利面!”

我回答说:“你看,我喜欢吃巧克力饺子。哦!”

我们俩都把手放在肚子上,发出“哦!嗯,真好吃!”的声音。然后我们都笑了,我说:“看!这个故事的重点不是盘子里的东西,而是我们俩的脸!瞧,我们长得一模一样。我想这个人也一定有他特别喜欢的食物。也许他真的很高兴把睡袋给了你。”

她说:“是的,听你描述,我觉得他会很幸福。”

我回答说:“好吧,看来我们三个还真都认识呢!”

我们大笑起来。

她笑着,眼神像个小女孩一样闪闪发光。她让我把这件事告诉你,并转达我的谢意。

这位参加过静修的男士不知道这个睡袋什么时候会发放出去,也不知道会发给谁。他不认识这位女士,也不了解她的故事——然而,他的内心却涌起一个声音:“你很重要!”

我低下头,以示对这一刻的尊重,让我有机会见证这两个人之间发生的事情。

这两个人相隔数百公里,但同时,正如我们所了解到的:两颗心之间的距离最短!

Share this story:

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

13 PAST RESPONSES

User avatar
Richard Charles Apr 12, 2026
To me the most important part of the story is where Bernhard says he helps his people to improve their lives . Helping others to become strong and self-reliant is the most powerful gift.
Handouts (although sometimes necessary) can weaken someone . Handups can strengthen someone. And that strength can be a lifelong asset.
User avatar
Jan Dec 9, 2025
So much in this story! I work where we serve members that are much like the woman in the story. I will remember this and try to find commonality whenever I can.
User avatar
Mariana Dec 2, 2025
Beautiful story. We are interconnected! Our interdependence nourishes and heals us 🩵
User avatar
Deanna Nov 26, 2025
Beautiful❣️
User avatar
Khokha Nov 18, 2025
Aaaah, yes! I very much agree with this wonderful story.
User avatar
Jane Nov 17, 2025
This is a story of reciprocity. Giving, receiving, giving. Beautiful.
User avatar
Pauline Nov 12, 2025
Such a deeply touching story. Yes, at essence we are connected and the same. We share the same need to feel safe, supported, valued and accepted and we are connected by cycles of giving and receiving. The man gave. The woman received. The woman, in turn, gave (her appreciation and her story) and now we, the readers, have received the story and benefited by its message of kindness and connectedness. And others will give because of this story … and so the cycle of generosity - of giving and receiving - will continue. Giving and receiving are two equal blessings. The gift is only of value when it is received. The man and the woman are equally important in this cycle of generosity. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story and may we all continue to find our shared bonds of connection and kindness.
User avatar
Hannah Nov 12, 2025
Oh my. So so touching .
This is what we need to see on front of newspapers. Such kindness. Love bless you all out there
User avatar
ruth Nov 12, 2025
Seeing such caring among those who have little to give is heart warming and does remind me that we are all connected. Each day, when I recognize and feel gratitude for the many blessings in my own life, I pray that those blessings will be shared with those who most need them.
User avatar
E Rogers Nov 12, 2025
Joy and sorrow touching my heart. Blessed be the ones that care. E
User avatar
Patrick Nov 12, 2025
Here's to everyone who enjoys good food and those who cannot - we are all interconnected like a plateful of spaghetti covered with the same sauce!
User avatar
Annie Nov 12, 2025
I love this story! I realize I have a sleeping bag in storage that I don’t use. You’ve inspired me to offer it to someone who really needs it. That makes my heart happy!
Reply 1 reply: Hannah
User avatar
Hannah Nov 12, 2025
Well done. You are wonderful...