About four years ago, I had a nasty eye infection that left my right eye badly scarred. The senior doctor at the eye clinic suggested a replacement of the cornea. 

Owing to the arrival of COVID, I had not had an eye inspection for more than 18 months. Since no invitation to attend the eye clinic seemed forthcoming, I decided to take the initiative and request a review. 

Upon arrival at the clinic, I was seated in the waiting area when the senior doctor happened to pass through. On noticing me, his eyes lit up, "Ah, Mr Kearney, I have been thinking about you!" He asked if I would be available to receive a graft at short notice. Naturally, I agreed only to find that I was third in line. As it occurred, the first was sick, the second was undecided, and I had to make a quick decision.

On the transplant day, I was sitting alone in the waiting room and had time to ponder the circumstances. I wondered why I should have requested a check-up and had arrived just as the senior doctor was to pass through the room. At that point, the doctor's arrival was unusual for the many times I sat in that room; it had never occurred before. Due to his surprise at seeing me, it was apparent that the doctor had not anticipated my presence. 

Coincidence! I'm not so sure; there are too many mini incidents contributing to the conclusion. It is more like divine intervention; I have had comparable experiences before, continuing Psalm 116. "How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?"

Almost four weeks after the graft, I was experiencing some discomfort in the eye. I requested an emergency consultation and was interviewed by a doctor who, coincidentally, had been present during the procedure. The doctor was ecstatic upon examining my eye and could not believe the new cornea insertion had made such astonishing progress to repair vision with no sign of rejection. It turned out that the stitches caused the discomfort, but they had to remain for four months.

Having waited more than three years for the graft, I have to declare that I am more than delighted to have been the beneficiary. But first, and most sincerely, I am indebted to the donor of the cornea.